The National Assembly has passed a landmark bill criminalising sexual harassment in Nigeria’s educational institutions, prescribing jail terms of up to 14 years for offenders and imposing heavy fines on institutions that conceal such abuses.
The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions and for Related Matters, 2025 (HB.1598),” seeks to eliminate all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse of authority by lecturers, administrators, and school staff.
The bill, which had earlier been passed by the House of Representatives, was presented for concurrence in the Senate by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and received overwhelming bipartisan support during plenary.
Under the new law, any educator found guilty of sexually harassing a student faces between five and 14 years in prison without the option of a fine. Institutions or their heads that fail to act on reported cases could face penalties of up to ₦5 million.
Bamidele explained that the bill aims to protect students from sexual misconduct within academic environments and to hold offenders accountable through clear legal provisions. He said it was designed to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and uphold trust between teachers and students.
Clause 4 of the bill clearly defines sexual harassment and lists specific offences, including demanding or having sex with a student, making sexual advances, winking, whistling, or making sexually suggestive comments about a student’s body. It also prohibits sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos, and any form of unwelcome physical contact such as touching or hugging.
The law further stipulates that consent cannot be used as a defence in any case involving an educator and a student, except where both parties are legally married.
Victims are also empowered to seek civil redress. A sexually harassed student may sue the perpetrator for damages in addition to any criminal proceedings. Complaints may be filed by the victim, their guardian, lawyer, or any concerned individual.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin explained that the Senate could not amend the bill since it originated from the House of Representatives. “We cannot make substantive amendments at this stage. Besides, there are existing laws that already address harassment in workplaces and other sectors,” he said.
Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, who stood in for Bamidele, hailed the bill’s passage as a victory for Nigerian students who have long endured the scourge of “sex-for-grades.”
“This law will not only punish offenders but also serve as a deterrent to those who have turned our campuses into predatory grounds. It restores dignity and discipline to our learning environments,” she said.
