Nigeria’s Senate has taken a firm stance on child sexual abuse with a proposed bill that could drastically alter the legal landscape for offenders. The Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to impose life imprisonment on anyone convicted of child defilement, with no option for a fine. This update strengthens the previous law, which only prescribed a five-year sentence, and applies to all minors regardless of gender or the offender’s sex. On October 21, 2025, the bill passed in the upper chamber with unanimous support, as all 109 senators backed the proposal.
The bill comes as a response to alarming statistics that highlight Nigeria’s child sexual abuse crisis. According to UNICEF, six in every ten children in Nigeria experience some form of violence before their 18th birthday, with sexual abuse being among the most common offenses. In 2024 alone, at least 25 documented incidents of toddlers under five being sexually assaulted were reported. The increase in such cases is linked to the isolation families faced during the COVID-19 lockdown, which saw a disturbing rise in violence, with cases increasing by over 30%.
A 2024 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health also points to Nigeria’s high rate of sexual violence among teenagers, with boys representing 40% of victims in certain regions. These incidents often occur within families or peer groups, leaving long-lasting psychological scars that increase the risk of depression and suicide into adulthood.
The bill’s provisions go beyond life imprisonment for defilement, introducing a minimum of ten years for rape or any act of forced sex. The bill also addresses gender equality in sexual offenses, applying equally to male and female victims and offenders, whether the crime is male-on-female, female-on-male, or same-gender.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of this step, stating, “Defilement is even more serious than rape. It is a very serious issue and should carry the most severe punishment. Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware.”
The debate during the session was heated. Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North first proposed a 20-year minimum sentence, citing horrific recent cases involving children as young as five and ten. However, the session eventually agreed on life imprisonment for all offenders, regardless of their gender. Former governor and senator, Muhammad Adamu Aliero, championed the bill’s more inclusive language, ensuring it covered all types of sexual violence, regardless of the perpetrator’s or victim’s gender.
Despite the widespread support, the bill faced some pushback on other provisions, particularly regarding abortion and emergency pregnancy termination in cases of assault. Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central raised concerns that the bill’s vagueness on these issues could place doctors in difficult ethical positions. This provision was subsequently referred back to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further review.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan tried to revisit the abortion clause, but the discussion was cut short by Oshiomhole, and Akpabio declared her out of order. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau added that the provision barring fines from offenders would ensure that the punishment for defilement matched the severity of the crime.
The voice vote was overwhelmingly in favor, marking a rare moment of unity in Nigeria’s divided political environment. The House of Representatives had already initiated the bill, and now it is awaiting committee adjustments in the Senate before proceeding to President Bola Tinubu’s desk for final approval.
As the bill waits for final approval, the conversation around child abuse in Nigeria continues to grow. Fairview Africa, a local watchdog group, conducted a street survey in Abuja to gauge public opinion on the proposed life imprisonment. The results reflect a broad consensus in favor of stronger penalties for child abusers.
Charles, a resident of Abuja, said, “People who commit child abuse offenses deserve life imprisonment because they know it’s wrong and continue doing it. No parent would let someone abuse their child.” Similarly, Esther Boniface, a trader at Wuse Market, agreed, emphasizing that life imprisonment would stop offenders from repeating their crimes.
However, some residents, like Mr. Emmanuel Ibe, raised concerns about the law’s enforcement. “The proposal is good, but my issue is not just making laws but ensuring they are applied fairly. I hope this law doesn’t only target common people. If someone well-known commits abuse, will the law still apply?” he questioned.
These sentiments echo a broader dissatisfaction with the state of child welfare in Nigeria. A 2024 Afrobarometer survey found that 76% of Nigerians felt government efforts to protect vulnerable children were inadequate. This concern is most pronounced among those with higher education and those living in poverty.
Despite existing legal frameworks, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act and the Child Rights Act, reports of child abuse remain widespread. While 26 and 27 states, respectively, have adopted these laws, implementation remains inconsistent. Neglect, which affects over 75% of children, remains the most prevalent form of abuse, followed by physical abuse, which affects 15% of children. Sexual abuse, while affecting a smaller portion, is still a significant concern, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The consequences of such abuse are far-reaching. Children who experience neglect or abuse are at an increased risk of dropping out of school, engaging in substance abuse, and developing long-term mental health issues. According to the Journal of Global Health, abused children are also more likely to exhibit violent behavior as adults, perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Moreover, there is a stark disconnect between laws and their enforcement. The 2025 allocation of 200 billion naira ($130 million) to the health sector has done little to address the scale of the problem. In conflict-affected regions, like Katsina, where at least 652 children died from malnutrition in the first half of 2025 alone, child protection measures are critical but insufficient.
Activists argue that while stronger laws are essential, they are only part of the solution. Addressing the root causes of child abuse such as poverty, a weakened educational system, and family dysfunction is crucial. Effective intervention requires a holistic approach, one that not only punishes offenders but also provides meaningful support to children and their families.
In the end, while Nigeria’s legislative move to impose life sentences on child defilement offenders is an important step, it is only by tackling the broader socio-economic factors that enable abuse and providing robust systems of support for victims that true change will occur.
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