The Senate has approved a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty of sexually harassing students in Nigerian educational institutions.
The legislation, titled ‘Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025’, was transmitted from the House of Representatives for concurrence and sponsored in the Senate by the Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
He explained, while speaking on the bill that was crafted to safeguard students from all forms of sexual misconducts and abuse in academic environments, while establishing a clear legal framework for sanctions against offenders. According to him, it seeks to uphold ethical standards, the sanctity of the educator/student relationship, and respect for human dignity within tertiary institutions.
Under the new law, any educator, who sexually harasses a student, faces between five and 14 years in prison without the option of a fine. Offences under lesser categories attract a jail term, ranging from two to five years, also without a fine.
The bill defines sexual harassment broadly to include: soliciting or demanding sex from a student, making unwelcome sexual advances, creating a hostile environment or engaging in physical acts such as :touching, hugging, kissing or stroking any part of a student’s body in a sexual manner. It also criminalises sending sexually explicit messages, images, or videos to students, and making suggestive jokes or comments about a student’s body.
The Senate specified that a student’s consent would not serve as a defence in court, and educators accused of such offences cannot claim they lacked intent. However, it provides an exemption, where both parties are legally married.
In terms of procedure, the bill empowers students or their representatives, such as: relatives, guardians, or lawyers to lodge written petitions with the Nigeria Police Force or the Attorney-General for prosecution. Copies of such petitions must also be submitted to the Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee within the affected institution.
Institutions, according to the legislation, are permitted to enforce internal disciplinary actions, but such proceedings must be suspended once a criminal case is filed in court. The internal committee established under the Act, will have powers to investigate complaints, determine culpability, and make final decisions in line with the provisions of the law.
During debate on the bill, several senators commended its intent, but urged that protection against sexual harassment be extended beyond the education sector. Adams Oshiomhole argued that limiting the law to tertiary institutions would exclude victims in workplaces and other environments.
“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,” Oshiomhole said.
However, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, clarified that since the legislation originated from the House of Representatives and was presented for concurrence, senators could only make minor amendments rather than a full review.
He added that existing labour and criminal laws already provide protection against harassment in other sectors. After brief deliberations, the Senate unanimously passed the bill, marking another step toward strengthening protection for students across Nigeria’s academic institutions.
