Senate Passes Landmark Bill Imposing Life Imprisonment for Child Defilers in NigeriaBy Matthew Atungwu | October 21, 2025

The Nigerian Senate has approved a landmark bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sexually abusing or defiling minors.

The legislation, passed on Tuesday, sets a new legal benchmark in the fight against child sexual abuse across the country. Under the new law, any man or woman who engages in sexual intercourse with a minor will face life imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Lawmakers say the bill aims to serve as a strong deterrent against pedophilia and other sexual crimes targeting children.

The Senate’s decision has been widely hailed by child rights advocates, who describe it as a major victory for the protection of minors in Nigeria — a country where incidents of sexual violence against children have become a recurring concern.

The bill is now expected to move to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Once signed into law, it will represent one of Nigeria’s most stringent legal responses to child sexual exploitation in recent years.