Senate passes bill to jail up to 14 years for sexual harassment in universities

The Nigerian Senate has passed a landmark bill recommending a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment for lecturers and other educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions.

The legislation, which aims to curb abuse of authority in higher institutions, follows widespread reports of lecturers exploiting students by demanding sexual favours in exchange for grades, admission slots, and other academic benefits.

The bill 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.

Ashiru explained that the bill was designed to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments.

“While providing clear legal frameworks for the enforcement and punishment of offenders”.

He further stated that the bill was enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator relationship of authority, dependency and respect for human dignity.

According to the Senate, any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.

“(i) Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine.”

The bill states that a student who alleges harassment may also pursue a civil action for breach of fiduciary duty, and that the standard of proof shall be the same as in civil proceedings.

It outlines a wide range of offences, including demanding sexual favours, making sexual advances, inducing others to commit harassment, and unwanted touching or gestures.

During the debate, some lawmakers called for the bill’s scope to be expanded.

The lawmaker representing Edo North, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, argued that the legislation should also cover workplaces and other sectors.

“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,” he said.

But the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, noted that the bill had already passed through the House of Representatives and was only open for concurrence.

Barau also explained that existing laws already addressed harassment in workplace settings.

The bill was subsequently adopted and passed for third reading.

(NAN)