For decades, whispers of “sex-for-grades” have haunted the corridors of Nigerian universities — stories of lecturers who preyed on vulnerable students, and victims who suffered in silence for fear of retribution. On Wednesday, the Senate finally struck back.
In a historic move, lawmakers passed the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025, prescribing up to 14 years in prison for any educator found guilty of sexually harassing a student.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), marks one of the boldest steps yet in Nigeria’s effort to reclaim the moral integrity of its higher education system.
Bamidele described the bill as an “act of justice long delayed,” aimed at dismantling what he called a “culture of coercion and silence” that has corroded trust between teachers and students.
“This law safeguards the sanctity of the student-educator relationship built on authority, dependency, and trust,” he told his colleagues. “It ensures that no educator ever uses that trust as a weapon of exploitation again.”
Under the new Act, offenders will face a minimum of five years and a maximum of 14 years in prison, without the option of a fine. Lesser offences, such as making sexual advances or creating a hostile academic environment, attract between two and five years behind bars.
Crucially, the law also removes the defence of consent, declaring that no lecturer can claim that a student “agreed” to sexual acts. Only a lawful marriage between both parties can be used as a defence.
The scope of offences is comprehensive: demanding or forcing sex, unwanted touching, sending sexually explicit messages, stalking, and even making sexually suggestive comments are now criminal acts. Those who assist or encourage others to commit such acts will also face prosecution.
Beyond punishment, the legislation creates a new system of independent sexual harassment prohibition committees in every tertiary institution. These committees will have the power to investigate complaints and deliver decisions — a safeguard for students who have long feared reporting their abusers.
Students or their representatives can now petition the Nigerian Police Force, the Attorney-General, or the committee directly — a significant shift from the opaque internal processes that often buried cases in the past.
Once a case reaches court, institutional panels must step back, to prevent overlapping jurisdiction and ensure justice is handled transparently.
The bill’s passage sparked lively debate in the chamber. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) commended the intent but urged lawmakers to expand the bill to cover workplaces and other institutions where harassment thrives.
“Sexual harassment exists everywhere — in offices, factories, even in politics,” he said. “We should give this bill universal application.”
But Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who presided over the session, explained that the bill came from the House for concurrence and could not be extensively altered. He noted that other existing laws already address workplace harassment, while this bill specifically targets the education sector — where abuse of power is most prevalent.
The passage drew applause from rights advocates and students’ groups who have long campaigned for systemic change. For many, it represents more than a new law — it’s a cultural reckoning.
“This law gives voice to the voiceless,” said one female senator after the vote. “No student should ever have to trade dignity for a degree.”
With the Senate’s approval secured, the bill now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent to become law — a final step that could reshape the moral landscape of Nigerian higher education.
For the countless students whose stories never made headlines, the message is clear: silence is no longer the only option.
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