The Senate has passed a bill that proposes prison terms of up to 14 years for lecturers and educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The bill, titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, aims to address recurring cases of sexual coercion on campuses, particularly situations where students are pressured into sexual relationships in exchange for grades, admission, or other academic advantages.
The bill was presented for concurrence by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and is designed to uphold ethical conduct in academic environments and protect the integrity of the educator–student relationship. It outlines specific penalties for offenders, including a jail term of five to 14 years for offences listed in Clause 4 (1–3), and two to five years for offences under Clause 4 (4–6), with no option of a fine.
Offences covered include demanding sexual favours for academic benefits, making unwelcome sexual advances, inducing others to harass students, and unwanted physical or sexual contact. The bill stipulates that marriage between the educator and the student is the only acceptable defence, and that consent cannot serve as a defence where a teacher–student relationship exists.
The legislation also allows victims or their representatives to initiate civil actions for breach of duty. Complaints may be made by the victim or any concerned party to the Police or the Attorney-General, with copies forwarded to the institution’s Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee.
During deliberations, Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested expanding the bill to cover harassment in workplaces, but the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, noted that the bill was strictly for concurrence, as it had already been passed by the House of Representatives, and that workplace-related harassment is covered under other existing laws.
The bill was subsequently adopted and passed. Its passage comes amid increasing public concern over sexual misconduct on campuses and cases that often go unpunished due to fear of retaliation and weak institutional processes. Advocacy groups have described the bill as a positive step toward greater accountability and protection for students.
