Nigeria is once again proving why many women choose silence over the courage to speak out against sexual harassment.
In case you missed it—though that seems unlikely—Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Instead of receiving a fair hearing or solidarity, she has been met with hostility, bullying, and public ridicule.
Rather than focusing on the seriousness of the allegations, the conversation has turned into a smear campaign against her. Women in the Senate have refused to stand with her, protests have been staged against her—many by people who likely don’t even understand why they are protesting—and even former Senator Ita-Giwa, a fellow woman, suggested that someone of Natasha’s status should not be complaining about harassment.
This reaction exposes a deeper problem in Nigeria: the culture of silencing victims while protecting the powerful, especially when the accused is a man in authority.
This is not the first time a woman has faced backlash for calling out harassment.
Remember Busola Dakolo vs. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo? After she accused the popular pastor of rape, she was mocked, attacked, and accused of trying to destroy his reputation. Some church members defended Fatoyinbo, and the case was eventually dismissed.
Her case, along with others, reveals a clear pattern. When women gather the courage to speak up, they are vilified, while their accused abusers often walk away unscathed.
The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan case is even more disturbing because women in positions of power, especially those in the Senate who should know better, are joining the attack against her instead of standing in solidarity.
Thankfully, women like Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw and Oby Ezekwesili have publicly supported Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. But the deafening silence—or worse, the outright condemnation—from other female senators raises important questions.
Why do some women, including those in power, refuse to support victims of harassment? Have they also suffered in silence and now expect others to do the same? Or do they fear being attacked themselves if they speak out?
Whatever the reason, their silence or their attacks reinforce a system that discourages women from ever speaking up.
Regardless of whether the allegations against Akpabio are true, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courage deserves recognition. It takes immense bravery to stand up against one of the most powerful men in the country, knowing the backlash will be brutal. Yet, she still submitted a petition in the Senate, chaired by the same Akpabio, refusing to be intimidated.
Her actions should have sparked serious discussions about sexual harassment in politics and workplaces. Instead, her case has once again exposed how deeply ingrained victim-blaming and power protection are in Nigeria.
For every woman who speaks up, hundreds more suffer in silence, watching cases like Natasha’s and deciding it’s safer not to come forward. This must change.
Women in power must do better. Their silence or betrayal makes it even harder for victims to come forward. We must stop protecting powerful men at the expense of victims. Every allegation deserves to be taken seriously, not dismissed as a smear campaign.
Sexual harassment is real. Holding a high position does not make someone immune to it. Let’s not forget, this is not the first time Akpabio has been accused of such behavior.
Ita-Giwa’s statement that a senator shouldn’t complain is not just wrong, it is dangerous and outdated. No woman, regardless of status, should be forced into silence.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have to suffer for speaking out. Even if people doubt her claims, she deserves to be heard, not bullied.
The real question is, how many more women will stay silent because of what is happening to her?
