The Senate has passed, on third reading, a bill seeking to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment of students in educational institutions and other learning environments across the country.
The legislation, which originated from the House of Representatives, aims to safeguard students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic settings. It also establishes a clear legal framework for the enforcement and prosecution of offenders.
During the bill’s consideration, several lawmakers commended its objectives but advocated for broader applicability beyond the education sector.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasized that the scope of the law should extend beyond students to include workplace environments and other public spaces, noting that “there is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students; the law should have universal application.”
Similarly, Senator Anthony Ani observed that sexual harassment remains pervasive across various sectors, stating that limiting the bill to tertiary institutions “is a misnomer.”
In response, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, clarified that as a concurrent bill from the House of Representatives, it was not open to extensive debate but could only be amended. He also noted that existing laws already address harassment in workplaces and public institutions.
After brief deliberations, the Senate passed the bill to third reading unanimously.
