The Nigerian Senate has passed, at third reading, a bill aimed at preventing and prohibiting sexual harassment of students in educational institutions and other learning environments nationwide.
The bill, which originated from the House of Representatives as a concurrent legislation, seeks to safeguard students from all forms of sexual misconduct within academic settings and establishes clear legal measures for enforcing penalties against offenders.
During the debate, several senators praised the intent of the bill but urged lawmakers to broaden its scope. Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that sexual harassment is a societal issue and should not be confined to schools alone. “There is no reason to restrict the matter of sexual harassment to students. We should craft a law with universal application,” he said.
Senator Anthony Ani echoed this view, noting that sexual harassment is prevalent across workplaces and public spaces. “Sexual harassment is everywhere. Limiting this bill to tertiary institutions is a misnomer,” he asserted.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the sitting, explained that because the bill is a concurrent one from the House, it cannot undergo extensive changes and may only be amended in limited areas. He also pointed out that other existing laws already address harassment in workplaces and public institutions.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously approved the bill at third reading—marking a significant step toward strengthening the legal framework that protects students from sexual misconduct in Nigeria’s educational system.
0 Comments