SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROHIBITION BILL 2025

Overview of the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill 2025

The Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, marks a pivotal legislative intervention by the Nigerian Senate aimed at curbing sexual misconduct within tertiary institutions.

Passed in November 2025, this bill was designed to address the long-standing issue of sexual exploitation in academic environments, particularly the abuse of power by educators over students.

The bill emerged from years of advocacy and public outcry over the prevalence of sexual harassment in Nigeria’s higher education system, where students, especially women, have often been coerced into compromising situations in exchange for grades, admissions, or other academic benefits.

Core Provisions and Penalties

The bill prescribes stringent penalties for offenders. Educators found guilty of sexually harassing students face a prison term ranging from a minimum of five years to a maximum of fourteen years, with no option of a fine. Lesser offences attract two to five years of imprisonment, also without the possibility of a fine. This uncompromising stance reflects the legislature’s intent to deter potential offenders and restore integrity to the student-educator relationship. The law recognizes the inherent power imbalance in academic settings, rendering student consent invalid in cases involving authority figures. The only legal defense permitted under the bill is a lawful marriage between the accused and the student.

Scope and Enforcement Mechanisms

The bill empowers students, their relatives, or any concerned party to file complaints, thereby broadening access to justice and reducing the burden on victims to act alone. It also allows students to pursue civil action against educators for breach of fiduciary duty, reinforcing the accountability framework. While the bill primarily targets tertiary institutions, some senators, including Adams Oshiomhole, advocated for its expansion to cover workplaces and other environments. However, the Deputy Senate President clarified that existing laws already address workplace harassment, and this bill is tailored specifically to the academic context.

Legislative Intent and Social Impact

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who led the bill’s presentation, described it as a tool to dismantle the “culture of coercion and silence” that has eroded trust in Nigeria’s educational institutions. The legislation seeks to safeguard the sanctity of the student-educator relationship, which is built on authority, dependency, and trust. By criminalizing sexual harassment and establishing clear punitive measures, the bill aims to foster a safer, more respectful learning environment. It also signals a broader cultural shift, encouraging institutions to adopt zero-tolerance policies and implement preventive strategies.

Last Line

The Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill, 2025, represents a landmark effort by the Nigerian government to confront a pervasive social ill within its academic institutions. With its robust legal framework, the bill not only punishes offenders but also empowers victims and promotes ethical standards. It is a decisive step toward restoring dignity and safety in Nigeria’s educational system, and its passage reflects a growing commitment to human rights and institutional accountability.