Gender Mobile Initiative has expressed profound gratitude to Honorable Akin Rotimi for his role in advancing the Sexual Harassment Bill, which was successfully passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The bill, designed to protect students from sexual harassment in tertiary education, aims to promote ethical standards and establish fair procedures for handling complaints against educators.
Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director of Gender Mobile, highlighted the bill’s passage as the result of years of collaborative advocacy among civil society organizations, educational leaders, legal experts, and policymakers. “We recognize and thank each stakeholder for their contributions and resilience, which have laid the foundation for this legislative milestone,” she stated.
The new legislation mandates accountability, introduces clear student protections, and establishes Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees to manage complaints with efficiency and fairness. Ogunrotimi noted, “These measures are essential for fostering a culture of respect and safety in educational institutions across Nigeria.”
Gender Mobile pledged ongoing support, aiming to ensure the bill’s smooth transition to law and effective implementation. The organization also called on the Senate to prioritize passing the bill, emphasizing the need for urgent action to safeguard students nationwide.
Yeside Olasimbo, Special Assistant on Women Affairs to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, celebrated the achievement, describing it as a monumental step toward equity and justice. Olasimbo commended Gender Mobile’s relentless advocacy and expressed optimism that the bill would receive presidential assent, stating, “This moment is especially meaningful for me, as it is the first bill I’ve supported that has successfully passed the House. It feels like a dream come true, and I am filled with hope for the future.”
As the bill moves to the Senate, supporters continue their efforts to see it enacted into law, marking a transformative step for student safety and ethical integrity in Nigerian higher education.
