The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill prescribing up to 14 years’ imprisonment for any educator found guilty of sexually harassing a student in a tertiary institution.
The legislation, titled “Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597),” was presented for concurrence by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
The bill’s passage comes amid recurring reports of lecturers coercing students into sexual relationships in exchange for grades, admission, or other academic favours — a scandal that gained national attention following the 2019 “Sex-for-Grades” undercover investigation that exposed systemic abuse in Nigerian universities.
Explaining the intent of the bill, Senator Bamidele said it seeks to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments while strengthening ethical standards in tertiary institutions.
“This legislation is designed to protect students from sexual exploitation, promote ethical conduct in higher institutions, and uphold the sanctity of the educator-student relationship based on trust, respect, and integrity,” Bamidele stated.
According to the Senate, offenders convicted under Clause 4 (1)–(3) of the bill face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 14 years in prison, without the option of a fine.
Those found guilty under Clause 4 (4)–(6) face between two and five years’ imprisonment, also without the option of a fine.
The bill specifies that students who experience sexual harassment may also pursue civil action for breach of fiduciary duty, with the same standard of proof applied in civil proceedings.
It outlines a wide range of prohibited acts, including demanding sexual favours, making sexual advances, inducing others to commit harassment, and unwanted physical contact or gestures.
Notably, the legislation provides that marriage between the educator and the student shall be the only defence, and that consent cannot be used as a defence where a teacher-student relationship exists.
“Sexual harassment complaints may be filed by the student, relatives, guardians, or any concerned party to the Police or the Attorney-General, with copies also submitted to the institution’s Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee,” the bill states.
During debate on the bill, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) urged the Senate to broaden the scope of the law to include workplaces and other sectors, arguing that sexual harassment was not limited to educational settings.
“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law to have universal application,” Oshiomhole said.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, explained that the bill was presented for concurrence, having already passed in the House of Representatives, and that existing laws already address harassment in workplace settings.
The Senate thereafter adopted and passed the bill for third reading, paving the way for its harmonisation and eventual transmission to the President for assent.
