Nigerian lecturers now risk 14 years in jail

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for educators convicted of sexually harassing students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

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).

Bamidele said the bill seeks to address the growing pattern of coercion, abuse of power, and exploitation in higher institutions, where lecturers demand sex in exchange for grades, admission, or other academic privileges.

He noted that the bill establishes a legal framework to “promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education” and safeguard the dignity of students under the authority of educators.

Under the new law, offenders convicted under Clause 4 (1–3) face imprisonment of not less than five years and up to 14 years, without the option of a fine. Lesser offences under Clause 4 (4–6) attract a jail term of two to five years, also without an option of fine.

The bill further states that:

• Consent will not be accepted as a defence where a lecturer–student relationship exists.

• Marriage is considered the only defence.

• Victims may pursue civil action for breach of fiduciary duty.

• Complaints may be filed by the student, family members, or any concerned party with the Police or Attorney-General, with copies also submitted to the institution’s Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee.

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The legislation lists offences such as demanding sexual favours, making unwanted advances, compelling others to commit harassment, and inappropriate physical contact.

During plenary, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that the bill should extend beyond schools to workplaces and other institutions.

“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,” he said.

However, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, explained that the bill was already passed by the House of Representatives and was only open for concurrence. He added that existing labour and criminal laws already address workplace harassment.

The bill was thereafter adopted and passed for third reading.

The passage of the bill follows years of public outcry and several high-profile scandals involving lecturers in universities across Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Nsukka, Benin, Kano and Abuja. Many victims have historically avoided legal action due to fear of reprisals, stigma, and weak internal disciplinary systems.

Women’s rights activists have repeatedly demanded a federal law with explicit provisions and punishments to break what they describe as “a culture of silence and impunity” in Nigerian campuses.