By Deborah Nnamdi
The Senate has approved a bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The legislation, titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), was presented for concurrence by the Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Oyelola Ashiru, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Ashiru explained that the bill seeks to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments while establishing clear legal frameworks for the punishment of offenders.
He added that the measure aims to uphold ethical standards in higher education and preserve the integrity of the student–educator relationship built on trust, authority, and respect for human dignity.
According to the bill, any educator who commits offences listed under Clause 4 (1), (2), and (3) — including coercing students for grades, admissions, or academic favours — shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, face a jail term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without the option of a fine.
Similarly, offences under Clause 4 (4), (5), and (6) attract a sentence of between 2 and 5 years imprisonment, also without the option of a fine.
The bill further allows students who experience harassment to pursue civil action for breach of fiduciary duty, with the standard of proof consistent with civil proceedings.
It also defines sexual harassment broadly to include demanding sexual favours, making unwanted advances, indecent touching, or gestures, as well as inducing others to commit such acts.
During the debate, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) urged lawmakers to expand the bill’s scope to cover workplaces and other sectors, arguing that harassment should not be limited to academic settings.
“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, Sen. Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, clarified that the bill had already passed through the House of Representatives and was before the Senate for concurrence only. He also noted that existing laws already address workplace harassment.
The Senate subsequently adopted and passed the bill for third reading, marking a significant step toward strengthening protection for students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
