The Senate has approved a bill prescribing prison terms ranging from 5 to 14 years for anyone found guilty of se.xually harassing students in tertiary institutions, with no option of fines
On Tuesday, the upper chamber passed the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), during its third reading.
The bill, presented for concurrence by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), seeks to prevent sexual misconduct in educational settings and provide a clear legal framework for punishing offenders.
Bamidele explained that the legislation is aimed at protecting students from all forms of sexual abuse while promoting ethical standards in tertiary education. “The Bill is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator relationship of authority, dependency, and trust, and respect for human dignity in educational institutions,” he said.
Under the law, anyone found guilty of offences defined in the bill faces up to 14 years in prison but not less than five years, with no fines allowed. Lesser offences carry a sentence of two to five years, also without the option of a fine.
The bill allows students or their representatives to pursue civil action in court against educators for breach of fiduciary duty in sexual harassment cases. Institutions are permitted to manage internal disciplinary processes, but these proceedings must halt if a criminal case on the same matter is underway in court.
Sexual harassment is defined broadly in the bill to include “grabbing, hugging, kissing, rubbing, or touching the breasts, hair, lips, hips, or any other sensual part of the body of a woman; displaying, giving, or sending sexually explicit pictures or materials; whistling, winking, making sexual remarks, or stalking a student.” The legislation also states that consent by a student is not a valid defence, except in cases where the educator and student are legally married.
Complaints can be filed in writing by the student, a relative, guardian, or lawyer to the Nigeria Police Force or the Attorney-General, with copies sent to the Independent Sexual Harassment Committee of the relevant institution.
During debate, some lawmakers suggested expanding the bill beyond the education sector. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said, “There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, clarified that the bill is a concurrence from the House of Representatives and could not be substantially altered. He noted that existing laws already cover sexual harassment in workplaces and other institutions.
After deliberations, the Senate passed the bill unanimously, hailing it as a key step toward ending sexual abuse and safeguarding the rights of students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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