Mr. Fowowe, who serves as the National President of the Association of Nursery and Primary Education Instructors, gave this advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
He emphasized that the National Sexuality Education Curriculum, first introduced in 2002, encourages parents to initiate conversations about sexuality at home in order to reinforce what children learn in school. “Parents have a crucial role to play in early sex education. Starting these discussions early helps children understand their bodies, set boundaries, and identify inappropriate behavior,” Fowowe explained.
He suggested that simple, age-appropriate conversations during routine activities like bath time or bedtime can be effective in teaching children about body autonomy and safety.
Fowowe also stressed the importance of strong legal frameworks, urging for the full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015. He pointed out that as of 2023, only about 30 out of Nigeria’s 36 states had domesticated the law.“When fully adopted, the VAPP Act can close legal gaps across states and strengthen efforts to bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Addressing sexual harassment in higher education institutions, Fowowe called for the establishment of independent complaint mechanisms. He noted that fear of reprisal often prevents victims from reporting abuse.“Some universities, like the University of Lagos, have taken steps by forming Sexual Harassment Policy Committees that allow survivors to report incidents confidentially,” he stated.
He also recommended that governments actively support public awareness and education campaigns on sexual consent and personal boundaries. According to him, such efforts can foster a culture of mutual respect and prevention.“Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), supported by UNESCO, has been shown in studies to reduce risky sexual behavior by 30 to 50 percent,” he noted.
In addition, Fowowe advocated for the use of tools such as hotlines, anonymous reporting platforms, and CCTV surveillance to discourage potential offenders and support investigations.“Platforms like HelpLine.ng have already begun providing confidential support services in Nigeria,” he added.
Fowowe concluded by urging parents to maintain open lines of communication with their children, encouraging them to talk freely about anything that troubles them.
Quoting data from UNICEF, he said:“Children who are able to talk openly with their parents about sensitive issues are less likely to fall victim to abuse. They are more aware, more confident, and more likely to speak up when something is wrong.”
He advised parents to use accurate, age-appropriate language, including correct anatomical terms, and to present complex concepts in a way that children can easily understand.
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