The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill mandating life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sexually defiling a minor, regardless of gender.
The bill was approved during Tuesday’s plenary session as lawmakers responded to the growing public outcry over rising incidents of child sexual abuse nationwide.
The decision marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s legal stance on sexual offences against minors, with lawmakers agreeing that stricter punishment is necessary to curb the disturbing trend.
Rights groups and law enforcement reports have highlighted a surge in cases involving children some as young as five being sexually assaulted by adults, including relatives, teachers, and religious leaders. Many victims are left with lifelong physical and psychological trauma.
Leading the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) emphasized the need to differentiate defilement of minors from adult rape cases.
“A minor cannot give consent. Their lives can be permanently damaged by such acts,” he stated.
“I initially proposed a 20-year sentence, considering the alarming reports of cases involving children as young as five.”
Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, supported the motion, insisting that no option of a fine should be allowed.
However, the proposal for a 20-year sentence was later amended after Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) argued that life imprisonment would serve as a stronger deterrent.
“Regardless of the offender’s gender, life imprisonment should be the penalty,” Aliero insisted.
Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West) echoed this sentiment, citing the gravity of the crime.
When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the matter to a voice vote, the support was overwhelming.
“Henceforth, any individual found guilty of defiling a minor shall be sentenced to life imprisonment,” Akpabio declared.
The bill is seen as a long-awaited step in addressing the widespread underreporting and poor enforcement of child sexual abuse cases in Nigeria. Advocates hope it will close legal loopholes that have allowed many offenders to walk free.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons reported a sharp increase in child defilement cases, many of which went unpunished due to weak legal frameworks.
Once signed into law, the new legislation will replace existing provisions under Nigeria’s Criminal and Penal Codes, which currently impose more lenient sentences.