Senate approves 14-year jail term for sexual harassment in tertiary institutions
The Nigerian Senate has passed a landmark bill prescribing custodial sentences of up to 14 years for educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions.
The legislation seeks to curb recurring cases of lecturers coercing students for grades, admission advantages, or other academic favours.
The bill, titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), was presented for concurrence by Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Oyelola Ashiru, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Senator Ashiru explained that the legislation was designed to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments while providing clear legal frameworks for enforcement and punishment of offenders.
“This bill promotes ethical standards in tertiary education, safeguards the sanctity of the student-educator relationship, and reinforces respect for human dignity,” Ashiru said.
Under the new law, any person found guilty of the offences outlined in Clauses 4(1), (2), and (3) faces imprisonment of up to 14 years and not less than 5 years, with no option of a fine.
Offences listed under Clauses 4(4), (5), and (6) carry sentences ranging from 2 to 5 years, also without fines.
The bill empowers students to pursue civil actions for breach of fiduciary duty in addition to criminal prosecution.
It defines sexual harassment broadly, covering actions such as demanding sexual favours, making sexual advances, inducing others to commit harassment, and unwanted touching or gestures.
During debate, some lawmakers suggested expanding the bill’s scope beyond educational institutions.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North argued that sexual harassment is not limited to schools and should be addressed universally, including workplaces and other sectors.
However, Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, noted that the bill had already passed through the House of Representatives and was presented for concurrence.
He also clarified that existing laws already provide protections against harassment in workplaces.
The Senate subsequently adopted the bill and passed it for third reading, marking a significant step toward stronger legal protection for students across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
