Nkiru "Kiki" Mordi is a Nigerian investigative journalist, filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur. She gained widespread recognition after producing the Sex for Grades documentary with BBC Africa Eye, which uncovered sexual harassment in Nigerian and Ghanaian universities. Mordi was motivated to pursue this investigation after experiencing harassment from a lecturer, which led her to drop out of school.
In 2016, she received the Outstanding Radio Program Presenter (South-South) award at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards.
Career
Kiki Mordi is renowned for her work as an investigative journalist and on-air personality. Her most notable work is the 2019 BBC Africa Eye documentary Sex for Grades, which shed light on systemic sexual abuse in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and Ghana.
In 2017, following an unlawful arrest and accusation of cultism by police officers, she launched an online petition to end police extortion and exploitation of Nigerian youth.
She also directed the documentary Life at the Bay, which highlights the lives and struggles of women in Tarkwa Bay, Lagos. The film was selected for screening at the Real Time International Film Festival and the 2019 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).
In 2020, Mordi was named one of the Most Influential Young Africans, alongside figures such as Alex Iwobi, Adekunle Gold, Falz, and Adetola Nola.
2019 Sex for Grades Documentary
On 7 October 2019, Kiki Mordi and the BBC Africa Eye team released a 13-minute exposé on sexual harassment in University of Lagos (UNILAG) and University of Ghana. Key individuals exposed include:
- Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu – UNILAG senior lecturer and Foursquare Gospel Church pastor
- Dr. Ransford Gyampo – Associate Professor, University of Ghana
- Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor – Lecturer, University of Ghana
Mordi went undercover as a 17-year-old prospective student, and the investigation spanned nine months.
Aftermath:
- UNILAG suspended Dr. Igbeneghu
- Foursquare Church removed him from the pulpit
- The “Cold Room”—a space used for harassing students—was shut down
- Dr. Samuel Oladipo, from UNILAG’s Economics Department, was later suspended
- Gyampo threatened legal action against the BBC
- The documentary sparked national outcry and commendations from:
- Adekunle Gold & Simi
- Atiku Abubakar
- Bukola Saraki
Legislative Impact:
- 9 October 2019: Nigerian Senate re-introduced the anti-sexual harassment bill
- 9 July 2020: Senate passed the bill, proposing up to 14 years jail term for offenders
Mordi reported receiving subtle threats following the release of the documentary.
Awards and Nominations
- 2016 – Outstanding Radio Program Presenter (South-South), Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
- 2020 – Named among Most Influential Young Africans