Education
Senate Approves 14-Year Sentence for Sexual Harassment in Schools
The Nigerian Senate has approved a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment, with a minimum of five years and no option of fine, for educators convicted of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions across the country.
The upper chamber, on Wednesday, passed the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597) after it scaled third reading. The bill was presented for concurrence by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
Senator Bamidele explained that the legislation seeks to protect students from sexual misconduct in academic environments by providing a clear legal framework for enforcement and punishment.
He added that the bill also aims to uphold ethical standards in tertiary institutions and safeguard the fiduciary relationship of trust between students and educators.
Key Penalties
According to the bill:
- Clauses 4(1), (2), and (3): Offenders face up to 14 years imprisonment, not less than 5 years, without option of fine.
- Clauses 4(4), (5), and (6): Offenders face up to 5 years imprisonment, not less than 2 years, also without option of fine.
Civil Action and Institutional Discipline
- The bill affirms that students have the right to pursue civil action against any educator for breach of fiduciary duty.
It also provides that:
- Once criminal proceedings are initiated, tertiary institutions cannot conduct parallel disciplinary hearings until the court process concludes.
- Institutions must establish Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees to investigate and decide on complaints in line with the new law, which supersedes existing internal policies.
The legislation outlines acts constituting sexual harassment by an educator, including:
- Having or demanding sexual intercourse with a student.
- Intimidating or coercing a student into granting sexual favors.
- Unwanted touching, grabbing, hugging, or kissing.
- Sending sexually explicit messages, pictures, or videos.
- Making sexual jokes or comments about a student’s body.
- Stalking a student.
The bill further clarifies that:
- Consent of the student is not a defence.
- The only defence is if the educator and student are legally married.
- Intent is not required to be proven for conviction.
A sexual harassment complaint may be filed by:
- The affected student.
- A representative such as a relative, guardian, or lawyer.
- Any concerned person with interest in the student’s welfare.
Complaints can be submitted to the Nigeria Police Force or the Attorney General, with copies forwarded to the institution’s Independent Sexual Harassment Committee.
During deliberations, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) suggested that the scope of the bill should extend beyond educational institutions.
He said: “There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application.”
In response, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, clarified that since the legislation was a concurrence bill from the House of Representatives, the Senate could only make minor amendments rather than a total overhaul.
He added that existing laws already address sexual harassment in workplaces and public institutions.
Following a brief debate, the Senate approved the bill, moving it one step closer to becoming law.
In summary, the passage of the Sexual Harassment of Students Bill marks a significant step toward ensuring safer learning environments, protecting students’ rights, and holding educators accountable for professional misconduct in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
