A study by the Rape Research Team at Lagos State University (LASU) has revealed that women in rural communities in Nigeria face a higher risk of rape than those in urban areas. Funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) with a N34 million grant, the research explored rape patterns across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The study found that 11.5% of rural women reported experiencing rape compared to 8.4% in urban areas. For currently married women, over 20% reported husband-perpetrated rape, with higher incidences in rural communities (23%) than urban ones (18%). Additionally, 12% of never-married females in rural areas reported exposure to rape, slightly higher than in urban areas (11%).
Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello lauded the research as “an unprecedented, comprehensive, and empirical study on rape in Nigeria” and urged stakeholders, including lawmakers, advocacy groups, community leaders, and parents, to take its findings seriously to protect vulnerable populations.
Principal investigator Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan highlighted alarming trends, such as the rising incidences of rape among elderly women and minors, emphasizing that the study’s findings underscore the need for nationwide action.
Recommendations from the study include implementing child protection laws to prevent sexual abuse, intensified awareness campaigns across all ethnic communities, and educating families on the risks of sexual violence from acquaintances and family members. The study concluded that targeted measures are essential to address the disturbing reality of sexual violence affecting women in both rural and urban Nigeria.
