Daniel Otera
In a historic move, Nigeria’s Senate has unanimously passed a bill that mandates life imprisonment, with no option for a fine, for anyone convicted of having sexual intercourse with a minor. This development, part of amendments to the Criminal Code Act, marks a significant update to the country’s child protection laws and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fighting child sexual abuse.
Recent reports continue to highlight the persistence of child sexual abuse across Nigeria. According to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), cases of child sexual abuse and defilement remain alarmingly high. In its 2020 quarterly report, NAPTIP recorded over 130 cases of defilement in the first quarter alone. Similarly, a 2021 study published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies revealed that between January and May 2020, the Nigeria Police Force documented 717 cases of rape and child defilement underscoring the widespread nature of these crimes.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) further amplifies the scale of the issue, reporting that one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria experience sexual violence before reaching adulthood. This stark reality emphasizes the urgent need for stronger child protection systems, increased public education, and more rigorous legal enforcement.
The new bill, which defines a minor as anyone under 18 years old, aligns with the Child Rights Act of 2003. Under the previous law, penalties for defilement ranged from 14 years to life imprisonment. However, fines were sometimes an alternative to jail time, depending on the court’s decision. The introduction of a mandatory life sentence, with no option for a fine, aims to close this loophole and send a strong message against child defilement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks during the plenary, described the bill as “a necessary step to protect our future generations from predators.” The Senate’s decision came on October 21, 2025, and was met with widespread support. All 109 senators voted in favor of the bill, with no abstentions or opposition recorded in the official voting ledger.
The surge in child abuse reports, particularly defilement, has become an alarming issue in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2024, NAPTIP recorded a staggering 30% increase in cases of defilement. In response, the Nigerian Senate introduced the amendment to the Criminal Code Act, now prescribing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor.
The journey of this reform began in early 2023 when Senator Barau Jibrin sponsored the bill as an amendment to the Criminal Code Act. Originally introduced as a private member’s bill, the “Bill for an Act to Amend the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 LFN 2004 to Prescribe Life Imprisonment for the Offence of Defilement of Minors,” it sought to align existing laws with the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015. Although this Act criminalized sexual offenses, it allowed for lighter sentences in some states, creating a gap that needed to be addressed.
In mid-2023, the bill was reviewed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters. During deliberations, committee members discussed challenges such as alarmingly low conviction rates in defilement cases. Between 2021 and 2023, only 15% of defilement cases resulted in successful prosecutions, as documented by NAPTIP’s annual reports. Public input sessions in September 2023, attended by child rights organizations like the Child Protection Network, strengthened the bill’s provisions, advocating for stricter penalties and sharing survivor testimonies.
The urgency of the bill gained momentum in 2024, driven by high-profile scandals involving public figures and minors in Lagos and Abuja. Social media campaigns, including the #EndChildDefilement hashtag, which trended with over 500,000 posts in June 2024, intensified public outrage and amplified calls for tougher legal measures. These incidents were frequently referenced during Senate debates in 2024, contributing to the swift progression of the bill from committee review to final passage.
The passage of this bill marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s stance on child sexual abuse, bringing the country closer to full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which Nigeria ratified in 1991. Article 19 of the UNCRC mandates the implementation of laws that protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation. The Child Rights Act of 2003 aligned with this requirement by setting the age of consent at 18. However, a 2022 review by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child noted gaps in enforcement, with Nigeria scoring 68% on compliance metrics, below the African average of 75%.
In comparison, several other African countries have made strides in addressing child sexual abuse, though with varying degrees of rigor. In Ghana, for example, the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 treats the rape of a child under 16 as a first-degree felony, punishable by life imprisonment. However, judicial practices often result in sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. In contrast, South Africa’s Sexual Offences Act of 2007 mandates life imprisonment for child rape but allows for parole after 25 years. Nigeria’s law, however, eliminates parole, ensuring a stricter, no-release policy for offenders.
Research suggests that mandatory sentencing has a powerful deterrent effect. A 2021 study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India found that the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act led to a 25% reduction in reported cases of child sexual abuse in high-risk urban areas. The conviction rate also rose from 28% to 41% during this period, driven by the deterrent effect of long-term incarceration.
Experts project that similar measures in Nigeria could lead to a similar reduction in child sexual abuse cases, with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) recording 4,200 defilement cases in 2024. If enforcement is as rigorous as the law’s intent, experts suggest a 25% reduction in defilement cases in the coming years.
Nigeria’s economic challenges exacerbate the vulnerability of children to sexual abuse. According to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 63% of Nigerians live in poverty, with children being the most affected. The report shows that 70.31% of minors experience deprivation, and 23.22% endure extreme poverty. In rural areas, where 90% of children live below the poverty line, defilement rates are 2.5 times higher than in urban centers.
In North Central Nigeria, where states like Benue and Plateau are located, over 1.5 million children are at high risk due to economic hardship. An overwhelming 85% of families in the region live below the poverty line. Limited access to social services and education further compounds this vulnerability.
The bill’s passage now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence and, once ratified, requires state-level adoption and extensive police training on child-sensitive investigations. NAPTIP’s 2024 budget allocation of N6.5 billion for victim support services will play a crucial role in turning these legal reforms into real protection for children.
The Senate’s swift passage of the bill provides a crucial opportunity for change. However, the effectiveness of the law will ultimately depend on robust enforcement, public education, and continued advocacy for the protection of children’s rights. With the bill heading to the House of Representatives and awaiting presidential assent, the next steps will be critical in ensuring that Nigeria’s commitment to ending child sexual abuse is realized.
This legislative reform sets a vital precedent for addressing child sexual abuse in Nigeria. By mandating life imprisonment for offenders, it demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting minors and offers hope to survivors.
However, to achieve lasting change, the government must focus on ensuring the full implementation of the law, alongside broader social reforms that address the root causes of child sexual abuse, such as poverty and inadequate social services.
The passage of this bill is not just a legal victory, it is a step toward a safer and more secure future for Nigeria’s children.