[FULL DETAILS]: Nigerian Senate Approves Bill Against Sexual Harassment by Teachers or Lecturers in Educational Institutions

The Nigerian Senate has adopted a landmark bill aimed at combating sexual harassment in tertiary educational institutions, introducing severe penalties including up to 14 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for offenders. The legislation, which seeks to safeguard students from misconduct by teachers or lecturers, was approved following a third reading during Tuesday's plenary session.

Titled the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), the bill was presented for concurrence by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele of APC, Ekiti Central, who emphasized that it is designed to protect students from all forms of sexual abuse in academic settings, while establishing clear legal mechanisms or frameworks for enforcement and punishment. "The Bill is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator fiduciary relationship of authority, dependency and trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions by providing for protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions; prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions." he added.

It should be noted that the legislation outlines two tiers of offenses with corresponding penalties, ensuring no option for fines to underscore the seriousness of the crimes. For severe offenses to wit: engaging in sexual intercourse with a student; demanding or forcing sexual acts; creating a hostile environment through solicitation or advances; or inducing others to commit harassment, convicted individuals face imprisonment of up to 14 years, with a minimum of 5 years. While for lesser offenses that involves unwanted physical contact e.g., grabbing, hugging, kissing, or touching sensitive areas; sending explicit materials; making sexual remarks about a student's physique or stalking, carry a prison term of up to 5 years, with a minimum of 2 years.

Interestingly EruditeBlog comments, consent from the student is not a valid defense for any offenses under the bill. The bill also allows students or their representatives such as relatives, guardians, or lawyers to file petitions with the Nigerian Police Force or the Attorney-General to initiate prosecutions. Copies of such petitions must be sent to the institution's administrative head and its Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee for records and potential internal actions.

Meanwhile, during consideration of the bill, several lawmakers commended its intent but called for broader coverage beyond the education sector. According to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Delta North, who argued that the legislation should not be limited to students alone but extended to address sexual harassment in workplaces and other settings, said, “There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application.’

However, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, who presided over the session, clarified that since the legislation is a concurrent bill from the House, and so not open to extensive debate but can only be amended. He further explained that there already exist laws addressing harassment in workplaces and other public institutions. After brief deliberations, the Senate passed the bill for third reading. Read full details of the bill below:

SPONSORED

CLICK THE IMAGE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

(1) “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.

“(i) Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine.

CIVIL ACTION FOR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY

“Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 1201 of this Bill or any other part of this Bill thereof, the sight of a student who complains of or alleges sexual harassment by an educator to commence and maintain a civil action in court for breach of fiduciary duty of care contrary to clauses 2 and 3 of this Bill shall be the same standard applicable in all civil proceedings."

“The standard of proof in any proceedings for an educator’s breach of the fiduciary duty owed to a student under clauses 2 and 3 of this Bill shall be the same standard applicable in all civil proceedings."

INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

“Nothing under this Bill shall preclude an institution from proceeding under its established policies, rules and regulations for the internal administrative discipline of its staff and students, provided that: Where criminal proceedings have been commenced under this Bill or are pending in a court in respect of a complaint of sexual harassment of a student by an educator, no disciplinary body, including an Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee in an institution, shall have the power to commence or continue disciplinary proceedings or render any decision in respect of the acts or offences complained of."

“Where a student makes a sexual harassment complaint against an educator, an institution’s Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee established under this Bill shall investigate, determine and render a final decision on the merits of the complaint in line with the provisions of this Bill, which shall supersede any existing policies, rules or regulations for internal administrative discipline of its staff and students.”

"Any educator shall be guilty of committing an offence or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she has sexual intercourse with a student or demands forces from a student or a prospective student, or intimidates or creates a hostile or offensive environment for the student by soliciting for sex from the student or making sexual advances towards the student, or directs or induces another person to commit any act of sexual harassment under this Bill, or cooperates in the commission of sexual harassment by another person without which it would not have been committed.”

“Grabs, hugs, kisses, rules or strokes or touches or pinches the breasts or hair or lips or hips of buttocks or any other sensual part of the body of a woman; or displays, gives or sends by hand or courier an electric or any other means naked or sexually explicit pictures or videos or sex related objects to a student-related or whistles or winks at a student or screams or exclaims or jokes or makes sexually complimentary or uncomplimentary remarks about a student’s physique or stalks a student."

“For the purposes of the offences created in Clause 4 of this Hili, it shall be a defence that the educator and the student are legally married."

“It shall not be a defence to any offence created in Clause 4 of this Bill that a student consented to any offence."

“For the purpose of proving the commission of any of the offences in Clause 4 of this Bill, it shall not be necessary for the prosecution to prove the intention of the accused person or the condition under which the act of sexual harassment was carried out.”

ON COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

“(1) A written sexual harassment petition complaining of the offence or felony of sexual harassment against an educator may be filed or made by a student or by a student’s representative who may be a relative, a guardian, or a lawyer of the student, or any person who has interest in the wellbeing of the student to the Nigerian Police Force, or the Attorney-General, who shall take necessary measures to prosecute the educator in accordance with the provisions of this Bill.

“A copy of the written Sexual Harassment Petition complaining of sexual harassment in Clause 8 of this Bill shall be delivered by the student or the student’s representative to both the administrative head and the secretary of the Independent Sexual Harassment Committee of the affected institution for record purposes and such actions that may be required under this Bill.”

This bill represents a significant step towards creating safer academic environments in Nigeria, where reports of sexual harassment in universities and colleges have been a persistent issue. Once signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, it will impose stricter accountability on educators and institutions, potentially deterring misconduct and providing clearer pathways for justice.

Advocates for women's rights and student safety including International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) have welcomed the development, viewing it as a response to long-standing calls for reform in the education sector.

Comments

[2025/2026] Everything You Need to Know About UNIZIK Admission Procedure

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) has officially announced the release of Post UTME/Direct Entry screening form for the 2025/2026 academic session. It’s however worth noting that our dear prestigious institution is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and merit-based admissions owing to the fact that it adheres strictly to the JAMB and FG’s guidelines for admitting aspirants into its undergraduate programs, and navigating the admission process, can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time applicants. Therefore, understanding the steps involved, is very important towards securing your admission. In this blog post, I’ll be helping us with a detailed breakdown of the UNIZIK admission procedure, starting from the Post UTME registration down to physical clearance. The first step in the UNIZIK admission journey every aspirant should know is registering for the Post UTME screening exercise . Of course, this is very mandatory for both UTM...

Unizik 2022/23 Supplementary Admission Application

This is to inform all 2022/23 aspirants of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka that the school has release her supplementary admission form. The supplementary admission form is for aspirants who due to several reasons ranging from low cutoff mark among others, wasn't admitted. And it's normally released at the ending or even end of merit list (including those admitted base on Catchment and ELDS). How The Supplementary Admission Application Works: Unizik will announce that the portal or link for the supplementary admission form will be made available or opened on a certain date or day. Once you see this update and u've not been admitted and ur Jamb caps isn't showing AIP (admission in progress), stay glued to ur phone on the D-Day for the form. If the portal will be opened by 10am, be active from 9:40-55. Once the portal gets activated, rush and apply then purchase immediately. How To Purchase: When the portal is being enabled, by then Students will have the link...

HOW A LAW STUDENT OF UNIZIK LOST HER LIFE DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE HOSTEL MANAGEMENT

A 100L student of Law in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka identified as Miss Ajana Isabella who is being said to have been battling with diabetes, reportedly breathed her last in early hours of Wednesday, 9th July 2025 due to the negligence of her hostel - Elmada. According to reports made available to eruditenewsblog, her demise was as a result of the hostel's management refusal to allow her have access to her room spare key after she lost her's. "The hostel has this policy that an inmate in a room of 3, who lost his or her key has to pay a sum of 40k per head before gaining access to the spare key, this is to discourage the students from being careless with their keys. And Isabella pleaded with the said management to wit: Aunty Ukamaka and Madam Bright who were on morning session the said day about her chronic illness and the need to retrieve her medication (insulin) from inside her room but the hostel managers asked her and her roommates to pay the said fixed ...

UNIZIK 2023/24 ADMISSION GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURE

It's no longer news that Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has commenced her admission ahead of the 2023/24 academic session, however in this article I'll be highlighting the guidelines on what next to do on seeing Admission In Progress (AIP) in our JAMB caps. Before then, it's good to note that UNIZIK do have four admission lists, first on merit and it comes in batches (A&B), second is partly on persons being transferred to another course and supplementary, third is more of supplementary admission followed by Vice Chancellor (VC)'s list. And then the admission is being given based on JAMB quota as made mandatory to all federal universities in Nigeria. This admission quota in lay man understanding means, considerations for admission of candidates or Nigeria varsity Aspirants in their choosen varsity. In summary, note that Admission into all Federal Higher Institutions of learning via UTME in Nigeria is based on the following quota: ■ Merit - 45% ■ Catch...

Important Notice To Every Admitted 2023/24 UNIZIK Aspirant (UPDATED)

This is to remind the newly admitted students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, likewise UTME candidates who passed the Post UTME departmental cut-off mark of their individual courses, to ahead of physical clearance, start getting their documents among other things ready, mostly the local government identification letter and accommodation. Those who has seen "CONGRATULATIONS YOU'VE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION" and have accepted their admission via JAMB caps, should after a week, go to any JAMB accredited cyber cafe near them for their JAMB original result and admission letter. Regarding UNIZIK's physical clearance; the truth is that after Unizik send your details to Jamb for verification and finally have you admitted via Jamb caps, next is you paying your acceptance fee but that's after your admission reflects in Unizik caps (we'll be updated on it when it does). After paying acceptance fee, comes biometrics and capturing at digital library or JUPEB h...

What You Should Know As Newly Admitted Student Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

It's no longer news that some 2022/23 aspirants of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka have been admitted into the institution. However, this article is to remind the newly admitted students to ahead of physical clearance, start getting their documents among other things ready, mostly the local government identification letter. For persons that might be wondering what I mean by physical clearance; the truth is that after Unizik send your details to Jamb for verification and finally have you admitted via Jamb caps, next is you paying your acceptance fee but that's after your admission reflects in Unizik caps. After paying acceptance fee, comes biometrics and capturing at digital library then the PHYSICAL CLEARANCE which will determine the validity of your admission. Here you'll be properly accessed with your Jamb original result slip and Jamb admission letter (you can get yours in cyber cafe), birth certificate or certificate of baptism , O'level result ( WAEC or...

Blackout in UNIZIK as Fire Guts 150MVA TCN Transformer [VIDEO]

There was report of sudden fire outbreak on a 150MVA TCN transformer located at Yahoo Junction, Ifite, close Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025, allegedly disrupted electricity supply to some affected lodges situated in the area, thus raising concerns about safety and the reliability of power infrastructure in the region. According to eyewitnesses, the transformer managed by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC), experienced a spark that quickly escalated into a fire, causing significant damage to the equipment. Video below: The incident has left residents in darkness especially our dear students who are preparing for their project defense, with many of them expressing frustration over the recurring power challenges in the area. Local businesses, particularly in the bustling Yahoo Junction, have reported losses due to the outage, while students at UNIZIK have voiced c...

BREAKING: FG Announces New National Policy & Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Higher Institutions

The Federal Government has announced that it's no longer compulsory for senior secondary school students in arts and humanities seeking admission into higher/tertiary institutions to have a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examinations to wit WASSCE and NECO SSCE before they'll be considered for admission. The new policy termed: "Revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions" was unveiled Today October 14, 2025 in a communiqué issued by the Federal Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, and applies to both universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across the country. According to the communiqué, the reform became necessary after years of limited access, which left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission despite meeting the required standards. “Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Mat...

SUG President Suspended From Office and From Being a Student Over Gross Misconduct

The Students' Union Government (SUG) President, Comr. Elijah Ekanem of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has been suspended from the union activities and from being a student of the institution. The action, detailed in an official letter today - October 2, 2025, cites gross misconduct including the forceful seizure of vehicle keys from a driver attached to his office and disseminating false information against the institution's constituted authorities. The suspension letter, signed by Dr. Dominic Ekpo, Dean of Students' Affairs, and made available to EruditeNewsBlog by Elijah Ubong the Union's Director of Information who was earlier suspended by said SUG President, further directs Ekanem to appear before the university's Students' Disciplinary Committee for further investigation. It references the AKSU Students' Handbook, which classifies such actions as major infractions warranting severe penalties. "This is as a result of your gross miscon...

[DETAILS] UNIZIK POST UTME SCREENING EXERCISE CALCULATION FORMULA FOR 2025/2026 ACADEMIC SESSION

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, wishes to inform all prospective students of UNIZIK and the general public that the institution's Post-UTME, Direct Entry, and other related screening exercises for the 2025/2026 admission session will be conducted in a very transparent way via screening using JAMB/UTME scores and O’level results. According to a communiqué by the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke, the university has adopted an automated screening system that will combine both JAMB-UTME scores and O’level results, this in her words, is to make the process clear and fair for everyone. That is to say, no manual grading or favoritism, as every candidates admission chances will depend strictly on how well he/she performed in JAMB (UTME) and O’level results. Candidates must also note that it is compulsory to upload their O’level results to both the JAMB CAPS portal and the UNIZIK portal. "If you upload to only one of them, you may be disquali...

EruditeBlog

Search This Blog