The Senate has passed a bill for second reading that prescribes five year jail term for randy lecturers. The bill also proposed a two year jail term for vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and other chief executives of institutions of higher learning if they fail to act within a week on complaints of sexual harassment made by students. Read more about the bill here
The bill sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta-Central) and 57 others received support from most of the members of the Red Chamber.
Today at the Nigerian Senate, we passed a Bill to Criminalize Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Universities for its Second Reading.
Many young Nigerian boys and girls suffer at the hands of lecturers, fellow students and those in administrative positions of power when they seek to further their education in our universities.
This bill, once passed and signed into law, will help stamp out all forms of harassment to make our schools more conducive for our students.
I can attest to the fact that I have received anonymous emails and messages urging the Senate to make sexual harassment in our universities a criminal offence. In this regard, as we have taken this pivotal step to get this bill off the ground, I enjoin members of the civil society and students across the country to join in the process to make sure that this bill is passed and signed, so that students can receive the protection and backing of the law as they pursue their education.
As the grateful son of a caring mother, brother to three great sisters, cousin to numerous beautiful women, uncle to some wonderful young ladies, friend to a ‘few’ women and all around nice-guy in the making, I support measures to protect women from abuse and harassment. What I don’t quite understand however, is why there is a law specific to harassment by lecturers. Why isn’t this a broader law that covers sexual harassment wherever it might happen – Offices, buses, markets…etc?
This is a great step forward. However, once it is secured I hope campaigners will pursue more ambitious goals.
@covert Nigerian.. that was my question aswelll…. u sir possess this thing called sense!! chop knuckle!!
Good…
Dino should know that women don’t harass men sexually, they tempt men. Sexual Harassment and temptation are two different things.
Sexual Harassment is the greater evil and should be punished.
Thank you for this,honey
About time.
Sexual harassment in everywhere, should be made illegal, regardless of who. ..men, women, students, universities, offices, homes, etc.
Even if I am dressed provocatively. As long as I am harassing you, verbally, physically, keep walking.
But they would not pass a law sentencing a corrupt politician. Thieves
God is still working in Nigeria. Thank you NASS. Time to expand to other work places.
This is an awesome development for Nigeria and women in general.
Now let’s hope the law is enforced.
I encourage women to speak up regardless of the consequences.
BN, you swallowed my first comment. okay let me rephrase.
Any man that claims that he is unable to control himself, is a rapist.
Dino please u lost me….. So when u travel to oyibo man’s country especially in the summer and see how seductive girls dress do u harass them? I’m sure u know the consequences of that action.