In a landmark decision intended to reinforce protections for children, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved amendments that will subject anyone found guilty of defiling a minor to life imprisonment with no option of a fine.
Key Provisions
- Under the newly‑amended Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the offence of defiling a minor, previously punishable by a maximum of five years imprisonment will now attract life imprisonment.
- The law removes gender bias in its application: both male and female perpetrators and victims will be covered under the statute.
- In addition, the minimum sentence for rape and other non‑consensual sexual intercourse (involving men or women, boys or girls) has been increased to no less than ten years, up from five years.
- A controversial clause on abortion/pregnancy termination remains under review: the Senate stepped that part of the Bill down for further scrutiny by its Judiciary Committee, noting concerns about ambiguity and the risk of criminalizing medical professionals.
What Lawmakers Say
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking after the voice vote, stated: “Defilement is even more serious than rape … Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware.”
During debate, Adams Oshiomhole argued that defilement of minors should carry harsher penalties than rape, while Adamu Aliero moved the motion for life imprisonment, which was unanimously adopted. (
Implications & Context
This legislative shift marks one of the strongest stances to date by Nigeria’s parliament against sexual offences involving minors. By significantly escalating the penalty for child defilement, the Senate has sent a clear message that such acts will no longer be treated lightly.
Analysts note that the law also aligns more closely with federal child protection frameworks, closing previous gaps that allowed lighter sentences or differentiated treatment based on gender.
The fact that the Bill remains subject to final harmonisation and presidential assent means that the full legal effect will depend on those next steps. However, the Senate’s passage of the life‑sentence clause signals strong political will.
With the Senate now having concurred on the Bill’s major provisions, the legislation will be returned to the lower house for final approval and then forwarded to the President for assent. Once enacted, the changes will enter into force and begin to shape prosecutions of sexual offences involving children.
Meanwhile, the Judiciary Committee’s review of the abortion/pregnancy termination clause will be watched closely, as its final language could have significant implications for medical practice and reproductive rights.
