The Senate has passed through third reading, a bill designed to curb and outlaw sexual harassment of students within educational institutions and other areas nationwide.

The proposed law, which mirrors a concurrent version from the House of Representatives, seeks to safeguard students from all forms of sexual misconduct and exploitation in academic environments, while establishing a clear legal framework for enforcement and punishment of offenders.

While debating the bill, many senators praised its objectives but advocated for its scope to be expanded beyond the education sector.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasized that the law should not focus solely on students but also cover cases of sexual harassment in workplaces and other environments.

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

Similarly, Senator Anthony Ani underscored that sexual harassment remains a widespread problem across different sectors of society.

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

Nevertheless, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, clarified that since the legislation is a concurrent bill from the House, it is not open to extensive debate but can only be amended.

He also disclosed that there already exist laws addressing harassment in workplaces and other public institutions. After brief deliberations, the Senate passed the bill for third reading.