Senate Passage of the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention & Prohibition) Bill, 2025: What It Means for Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
Introduction
Sexual harassment in Nigeria’s higher institutions has long been a pervasive and painful reality that undermines both education and justice. While schools are meant to serve as safe spaces for learning and personal growth, they have too often become grounds for exploitation, intimidation, and silence especially for female students. Over the years, numerous cases have exposed the abuse of power by educators who demand sexual favours in exchange for grades, admission, or other academic benefits. Despite widespread condemnation and public outrage, the systemic nature of this problem has persisted, largely due to weak institutional mechanisms and the absence of enforceable legal protection.
Overview
A 2018 World Bank survey revealed that 70% of Nigerian female graduates experienced sexual harassment during their studies, while other studies show that 63% of female university students have been harassed by lecturers or fellow students. These figures reflect a crisis that extends beyond individual misconduct, it is a deep structural failure within Nigeria’s academic institutions. Victims are often reluctant to report such abuses for fear of victimization, academic setbacks, or social stigma. In many universities, complaint procedures are opaque, internal disciplinary systems are weak, and offenders are rarely held accountable.
In response to mounting public pressure and advocacy from civil society, the Nigerian Senate passed the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill. The bill was first introduced in 2019 following the global exposure of Nigeria’s “sex-for-grades” scandal, and it has now been reintroduced as the 2025 version (HB.1597). It seeks to criminalize sexual misconduct within tertiary institutions and protect students from all forms of abuse of authority.
Analysis
The Sexual Harassment Bill represents a crucial step toward justice and accountability in Nigeria’s education system. It prescribes up to 14 years’ imprisonment for any educator convicted of sexually harassing a student, with no option of a fine. Lesser offences attract a minimum sentence of five years. The bill further clarifies that consent cannot be used as a defense in lecturer-student relationships, acknowledging the inherent imbalance of power between the two parties. Marriage, according to the bill, remains the only legal defense in such cases.
Beyond punishment, the bill introduces preventive and institutional measures. It mandates the creation of Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees in all tertiary institutions to handle complaints transparently. It also allows victims or their relatives to file reports directly with the police or the Attorney-General, ensuring that the pursuit of justice does not depend solely on internal school systems, which are often compromised.
Despite these progressive provisions, the bill remains unsigned more than four years after its first passage. Former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to assent to it, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over a year into his tenure, has yet to take action despite assurances of executive support. This delay has drawn criticism from rights activists, student unions, and education advocates who see it as a failure of political will.
During Senate deliberations, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized that the bill aims to “protect ethical standards in tertiary education and the sanctity of human dignity.” Some lawmakers, such as Senator Adams Oshiomhole, called for an expanded version that would also apply to workplaces, noting that harassment is not limited to educational spaces. However, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, clarified that the bill’s current form focuses specifically on the student–educator relationship while other existing laws cover workplace harassment.
The continued delay in signing the bill raises important questions about Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its students. Every year that passes without this law in effect reinforces impunity and perpetuates a cycle of fear and silence within institutions of learning.
The Bill’s Significance
The Sexual Harassment Bill is more than just legal text, it is a moral statement. It represents Nigeria’s acknowledgment of the urgent need to protect the vulnerable, uphold justice, and rebuild public trust in education. By providing a clear framework for punishment and redress, the bill could empower victims to speak up and deter potential offenders.
Furthermore, the law would help dismantle the toxic culture of silence that has long defined Nigerian academia. Universities would be compelled to establish reporting mechanisms, ensure confidentiality for complainants, and enforce zero-tolerance policies. If properly implemented, the bill could usher in a new era of accountability and safety in higher education.
For Nigerian tertiary institutions the implications are profound:
-
Universities and colleges must review and upgrade their internal policies, reporting systems and disciplinary mechanisms to comply with the new law’s requirements.
-
Institutional leadership will need to ensure that independent committees are established, with student and external representation, robust confidentiality protections and clear referral paths to law-enforcement.
-
Risk management will become more critical: institutions that fail to act may face not only reputational damage but also criminal liability for educators and possibly civil liability for the institution.
-
Student awareness campaigns will be vital: empowering students to know their rights, understand how to report abuse safely, and feel confident in institutional and legal recourse.
-
Staff training is essential: educators, administrative staff and security personnel must be sensitized to power dynamics, consent, boundary issues and child-safeguarding protocols.
Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in its fight against sexual harassment in higher institutions. The Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill has the potential to reshape the country’s academic culture and restore dignity to its learning spaces.
