Sexual Harassment Bill In Educational Institutions Scales Third Reading As Senate Considers Bill Phasing Out Petrol Vehicles

 

A bill seeking to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment of students in educational institutions and other places across the country has scaled through third reading at the Nigerian Senate, just as the senators began serious consideration of another bill seeking the introduction of electric vehicles and phase-out of the vehicles using petrol 

The Sexual Harassment Bill which is a concurrent legislation from the House of Reps, aims to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments, while providing clear legal frameworks for enforcement and punishment of offenders. 

Several lawmakers in their consideration of the bill, commended its intent but called for broader coverage beyond the education sector.

The legislation according to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, should not be limited to students alone, but extended to address sexual harassment in workplaces and other 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,” he stated 

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 added.

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

The Senate in another development, passed the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill 2025, for its second reading.

The legislation seeks to create a national framework for Nigeria’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs), promote local manufacturing and strengthen the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

 Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who sponsored the bill, received broad support as lawmakers outlined strategies for transitioning to electric mobility through local content development, foreign partnerships and nationwide charging infrastructure.

Leading the debate, Kalu said the law aims to transform Nigeria’s automotive and energy sectors, foster innovation and create jobs across the manufacturing value chain.

The bill according him, provides tax holidays, import duty waivers, toll exemptions, subsidies and road tax reliefs for EV users and investors. It also mandates the installation of charging stations in all fuel outlets nationwide.

A key provision requires foreign automakers to partner with licensed Nigerian assemblers and establish local assembly plants within three years, with at least 30 percent local content sourcing by 2030. Violations could attract fines of up to 250 million naira per breach, while unlicensed EV importers risk 500 million naira fines and goods confiscation

Economically, the bill also seeks to make Nigeria a hub for EV manufacturing in Africa by mandating that assemblers produce a minimum of 5,000 units annually and meet international safety and technical standards. Investors establishing charging stations will also qualify for government grants and tax credits.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described it as a forward-looking legislative effort aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification and clean energy agenda.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Industry for further review and is expected to return to the chamber within four weeks.