The National Assembly has approved a maximum sentence of 14 years and a minimum of five years imprisonment, without the option of fine, for lecturers and others convicted of sexually harassing students in educational institutions across the country.
This followed the passage of the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), which scaled third reading in the Senate on Wednesday after concurrence with the House of Representatives.
The bill defines sexual harassment to include acts such as demanding sexual favours from students, intimidation, threats, creation of a hostile academic environment, and unwanted physical contact.
Other offences under the bill include grabbing, hugging, kissing, sending sexually explicit messages, pictures or videos, making sexual jokes or comments about a student’s body, and stalking.
The legislation, which now awaits presidential assent, also empowers victims to pursue civil action against offending educators for breach of fiduciary duty.
It mandates tertiary institutions to establish Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees to handle complaints in line with the law.
The bill further provides that a student’s consent is not a valid defence, except where both parties are legally married, and that intent to harass does not need to be proven for conviction.
It also bars institutions from conducting parallel disciplinary proceedings once a criminal case has been filed in court.
In addition, complaints may be lodged by the affected student, a relative, guardian, legal representative, or any concerned person. Reports can be submitted to the Nigeria Police Force or the Office of the Attorney General, with copies forwarded to the institution’s sexual harassment committee.
The bill aims to create safer learning environments and strengthen accountability in educational institutions nationwide.
