N/Assembly proposes 14-year jail term for sexual harassment of students 

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 for 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 […]

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 for 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 on Wednesday in the Senate after concurrence with the House of Representatives.

Acts considered sexual harassment under the bill include, sexual intercourse or demands for sexual favours from a student, intimidation, threats, or creation of a hostile academic environment and unwanted touching.

Others are grabbing, hugging, or kissing, sending sexually explicit messages, pictures, or videos, making sexual jokes or comments about a student’s body, and stalking among others.

The proposed law which is subject to presidential assent, 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 accordance with the law.

The bill further states that a student’s consent is not a valid defence, except where both parties are legally married. It says intent to harass also does not need to be proven for conviction.

It stipulates that once a criminal case is filed, institutions are barred from conducting parallel disciplinary proceedings until the court process is concluded.

The bill, also provides that a complaint may be lodged by the affected student, a relative, guardian, legal representative, or any concerned person, adding that reports can be filed with the Nigeria Police Force or the Attorney General’s office, with copies forwarded to the institution’s sexual harassment committee.