The Nigerian Senate has passed a new law imposing a 14-year maximum jail sentence and a minimum of 5 years without fine for sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions. The bill outlines strict penalties, reporting procedures, and institutional responsibilities.
The Senate has approved a maximum sentence of fourteen years and a minimum of five years imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for persons convicted of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions across the country.
The decision came as lawmakers adopted the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), which seeks to protect students within academic environments and strengthen accountability for educators and staff found guilty of abuse.
Presenting the bill for concurrence, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) explained that the legislation is intended to safeguard the academic community by maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring ethical conduct, and upholding trust between students and educators. The law also provides structures for reporting, investigation, and legal action against offenders.
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Under the bill, offences listed in Clauses 4 (1) to (3) attract up to 14 years imprisonment with a minimum of 5 years, while offences under Clauses 4 (4) to (6) carry penalties of between 2 and 5 years imprisonment, also without an option of fine. The bill further allows victims to pursue civil litigation for breach of fiduciary duty.
The law also establishes institutional Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees responsible for handling internal complaints. However, once criminal proceedings begin in court, disciplinary panels within institutions must suspend any ongoing review related to the case.
The bill defines sexual harassment to include sexual intercourse or solicitation of sexual favors from students, creating sexually hostile environments, sending explicit images or messages, inappropriate touching, sexual comments, stalking, and any related conduct. Consent from a student does not serve as a defence unless the student and educator are legally married.
During debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) suggested extending the legislation beyond schools to workplaces, but Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin clarified that broader provisions already exist in other national laws. The Senate subsequently passed the bill after brief deliberation.