November 05, (THEWILL) — The Senate has passed a landmark bill proposing a mandatory 14-year jail term for any educator or individual found guilty of sexually harassing a student in an educational institution — with no option of fine.
The bill titled, “A Bill to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions and Other Areas,” was introduced by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and approved after extensive deliberations. It is a concurrent bill transmitted from the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers said the legislation was necessitated by the growing number of reported sexual misconduct cases involving teachers, lecturers and other supervisory personnel in schools across the country.
They described the trend as a grave violation of students’ dignity and a threat to safe learning environments.
Under the bill, any educator who engages in sexual intercourse with a student, solicits sexual favours, or uses intimidation and coercion for sexual gratification commits a felony punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
The law applies to staff in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
The bill explicitly criminalises acts such as touching or pinching a student’s private parts, unsolicited hugging, kissing or rubbing of sensual areas, as well as sending sexually explicit messages or images in any form.
It also covers indirect acts of sexual harassment, including suggestive comments about a student’s body, stalking, whistling, winking, or creating an intimidating or sexually charged learning atmosphere.
To strengthen accountability, the law mandates all educational institutions to set up Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees empowered to receive complaints, conduct investigations and recommend sanctions.
Victims or interested parties may also report cases directly to the Police or the Office of the Attorney-General.
In addition, institutional heads who fail to act on credible allegations or who attempt to shield offenders face penalties.
Such negligence attracts a fine of not less than N5 million, a minimum two-year jail term, or both.
Supporters of the bill said it provides long-awaited protection for students and reinforces the need for ethical conduct among educators.
“This law is designed to ensure that schools — which should be safe spaces for learning and character development — do not become grounds for exploitation or trauma,” Bamidele said.
With Senate approval, the bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. If signed, it will become a major component of the national legal framework against sexual abuse, particularly within the education sector.
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