The Nigerian Senate has passed a landmark bill prescribing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of sexually defiling a minor — a decisive step aimed at curbing the country’s growing epidemic of child sexual abuse.
The passage of the bill on Tuesday followed mounting public outrage over rising cases of pedophilia and child molestation nationwide, which lawmakers say demand urgent and uncompromising legal action.
Presenting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) called for stricter penalties to reflect the grave psychological and physical harm inflicted on young victims.
“A minor is a child who cannot give consent and whose life can be permanently damaged by such an act. Those involved in defilement deserve severe punishment,” Oshiomhole said.
“I propose a 20-year penalty for anyone found guilty. There are disturbing cases involving children as young as five or ten.”
However, Oshiomhole’s proposed 20-year term was rejected after Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) moved an amendment advocating life imprisonment for offenders — a motion that quickly gained overwhelming support.
“I want to propose that the punishment for defilement of minors should be life imprisonment, regardless of the offender’s gender,” Aliero stated.
Backing the motion, Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West) said the gravity of the offence left no room for leniency.
When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, the “ayes” prevailed decisively.
“I hereby move that henceforth any man or woman who is guilty of defiling a minor should be sentenced to life imprisonment,” Akpabio declared.
The bill — which seeks to amend existing provisions of the Criminal and Penal Codes — represents one of the most stringent measures yet introduced to combat sexual violence against children in Nigeria.
Over the past decade, advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies have documented a troubling surge in cases involving minors, often as young as five, assaulted by family members, teachers, and clerics.
If enacted, the legislation is expected to close long-standing loopholes that have allowed offenders to evade justice, while reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to protecting children and upholding the rule of law.
Rights activists have hailed the Senate’s decision as a “historic victory” for child protection and a critical step toward ending the culture of impunity surrounding sexual crimes.
