In a decisive move to protect students and sanitize the educational system, the National Assembly has passed a landmark bill prescribing a maximum jail term of 14 years and a minimum of five years without the option of a fine for educators convicted of sexually harassing students.
The Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, which scaled its third reading in the Senate on Wednesday after concurrence with the House of Representatives, represents one of Nigeria’s most robust legal frameworks against the scourge of sexual exploitation in schools. The legislation is designed explicitly to end the “culture of impunity” and protect students from “sexual predators disguised as educators.”
The bill provides a comprehensive definition of sexual harassment, criminalizing a wide range of behaviours. These include demanding sexual favours for grades, unwanted physical contact such as touching or kissing, creating a hostile learning environment through intimidation, and sending sexually explicit messages or media.
Crucially, the law closes significant legal loopholes. A student’s consent cannot be used as a defence unless the parties are legally married, and the intent to harass does not need to be proven for a conviction, ensuring offenders are held accountable for their actions.
The legislation also empowers victims to sue for civil damages and mandates every tertiary institution to establish an Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee. To prevent interference, institutions are barred from conducting parallel internal investigations once a criminal case has been filed in court.
The bill now awaits the assent of President Bola Tinubu to become enforceable law, marking a pivotal moment for student safety and institutional accountability in Nigeria.
