The Nigerian Senate has passed the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, prescribing imprisonment of up to 14 years for educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions. The bill, presented by Deputy Senate Leader Sen. Oyelola Ashiru, aims to safeguard students from all forms of sexual misconduct within academic settings and enforce strict penalties on offenders.
Under the law, offenders may face 5 to 14 years imprisonment without the option of a fine, while lesser offences carry 2 to 5 years imprisonment. The bill also allows victims to pursue civil action for breach of fiduciary duty.
The legislation outlines a broad range of offences including demands for sexual favours, unwanted advances, and inappropriate touching. It removes consent as a defence except in cases of legally recognized marriage.
During debates, some senators, including Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, urged expanding the law’s scope to cover workplaces and society at large, citing the pervasive nature of harassment. Deputy Senate President Sen. Jibrin Barau noted existing workplace laws address those settings, and the bill is primarily for tertiary institutions.
The bill was passed for third reading, signaling a landmark step towards protecting students, promoting ethical academic environments, and combating abuse of power in educational institutions.
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