The Nigerian Senate has approved a landmark legislation prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for lecturers and other educators found guilty of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions.
The move signals a decisive step by lawmakers to confront the long-standing problem of sexual exploitation within the country’s academic system, which has repeatedly made headlines through investigative reports and student complaints.
The Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597) was presented for concurrence by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti Central, who explained that the law aims to ensure campuses become safer and more accountable spaces for learning.
According to Bamidele, the new legislation is designed to “protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct” and establish a clear legal framework to punish offenders.
He added that the bill also seeks to “preserve the integrity of the student-teacher relationship built on respect, trust, and responsibility.”
Under the provisions of the bill, any educator convicted of demanding sexual favours, making sexual advances, or engaging in unwanted physical contact with a student faces imprisonment of between five and fourteen years, without the option of a fine.
The bill also empowers victims to pursue civil action against perpetrators, emphasizing that the standard of proof shall align with civil court procedures.
It further clarifies that consent is not a valid defence in cases where a teacher-student relationship exists, except in cases where a lawful marriage has been contracted between both parties.
Senator Bamidele stressed that the legislation would help “restore ethical discipline in Nigeria’s higher institutions” and deter future abuses.
“This is not just about punishment; it’s about rebuilding confidence in our educational system,” he said.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, noted that the bill had already been passed by the House of Representatives and was only awaiting Senate concurrence for final approval.
He acknowledged that while previous laws addressed workplace harassment, this new legislation specifically targets misconduct in academic environments.
The Senate’s decision follows a series of scandals across universities in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Nsukka, Kano, Benin, and Abuja, where students have accused lecturers of demanding sexual favours in exchange for grades or academic opportunities.
For years, many victims have been hesitant to come forward due to fear of retaliation, social stigma, or lack of institutional support.
Women’s rights activists have repeatedly called for a dedicated law to close the accountability gap and empower students to seek justice.
Human rights advocate, Aisha Yusuf, hailed the bill’s passage as a “milestone moment” for Nigerian education.
“This law gives victims a voice and sends a strong message that impunity will no longer be tolerated in our institutions,” she said.
The bill, which now awaits presidential assent, is expected to transform how cases of sexual harassment are handled in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, creating stronger deterrents and ensuring victims receive justice under the law.