Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit Sexual Harassment in Schools

Abuja — The Senate on Wednesday passed for third reading a bill seeking to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment of students in educational institutions across the country.

The legislation, which originated from the House of Representatives as a concurrent bill, aims to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments, while establishing a clear legal framework for enforcement and punishment of offenders.

During the debate, several lawmakers commended the intent of the bill but urged for a broader scope to include workplaces and other sectors of society.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that the measure should not be limited to students alone.

“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,” Oshiomhole said.

Similarly, Senator Anthony Ani (PDP, Cross River) described sexual harassment as a pervasive problem across different sectors.

“Sexual harassment is everywhere. Limiting this bill to tertiary institutions is a misnomer,” he noted.

However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, clarified that the bill — being a concurrent legislation from the House — was not open to extensive alteration, though minor amendments could be made.

He added that other existing laws already address harassment in workplaces and public institutions, making this bill specifically focused on safeguarding students within academic settings.

After brief deliberations, the Senate passed the bill for third reading, marking another step toward strengthening the protection of students from sexual exploitation in Nigeria’s educational institutions.