Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit Sexual Harassment in Educational Institutions
Lawmakers call for broader coverage beyond schools
By Paul Ebi
The Senate has passed through third reading a bill seeking to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment of students in educational institutions and other places across the country.
The legislation, which originated from the House of Representatives, is designed to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments, while providing a clear legal framework for enforcement and punishment of offenders.
During consideration of the bill on Wednesday, several lawmakers commended its intent but urged that its scope be broadened to cover other sectors of society.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that the legislation should not be restricted to students alone, but extended to include sexual harassment cases in workplaces and other public settings.
> “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 stated.
Similarly, Senator Anthony Ani emphasized that sexual harassment remains a pervasive issue across various sectors of the country.
> “Sexual harassment is everywhere. Limiting this bill to tertiary institutions is a misnomer,” he said.
However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, clarified that since the legislation is a concurrent bill from the House of Representatives, it could not be subjected to extensive debate or major alterations, but only minor amendments.
Jibrin also noted that existing laws already address harassment in workplaces and other public institutions.
After brief deliberations, the Senate unanimously passed the bill for third reading, marking a significant step toward strengthening legal protections against sexual harassment within Nigeria’s education system.
