The Nigerian Senate has approved a new amendment prescribing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor.
The proposal, contained in the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to replace the current five-year jail term with a life sentence — without an option of fine.
The bill, initially passed by the House of Representatives, was presented to the Senate for concurrence.
During a clause-by-clause consideration on Tuesday, lawmakers described the defilement of minors as “a grievous offence capable of destroying the life of a child forever.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: “Defilement is even more serious than rape. It is a very serious issue and should carry more punishment.” The senators unanimously voted to adopt the life imprisonment clause.
Akpabio declared, “Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth attracts life imprisonment. Let everyone be aware.”
Stronger Penalties for Rape and Sexual Violence
Lawmakers also approved a stiffer punishment for rape and related sexual offences. The existing five-year jail term was increased to a minimum of ten years imprisonment.
Former Kebbi Governor, Senator Adamu Aliero, had initially suggested life imprisonment for rape, but the Senate settled for a minimum ten-year term as a compromise.
The revised Clause 2(1) states that “any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or woman against his or her will in any premises for unlawful carnal knowledge commits a felony and shall, on conviction, face a minimum jail term of ten years.”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that the law should reflect modern realities, where both men and women could be victims of sexual assault. His submission led the Senate to broaden the clause to include “boys, men, girls and women.”
Senate Moves to Merge Labour and Social Insurance Laws
In a separate development, the Senate passed for second reading a bill seeking to merge the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Act and the Employees’ Compensation Act into a single law known as the Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund (NSSTF).
The bill, sponsored by Senator Oluwole Fasuyi (Ekiti North), aims to harmonise social insurance and workers’ compensation systems to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
According to Fasuyi, the legislation will “ensure comprehensive protection for workers in both the formal and informal sectors against workplace injuries, disabilities, unemployment, and retirement.”
He added that the proposed NSSTF would serve as a central body for managing contributions from employers, employees, and the government, ensuring transparency and accountability in social protection.
The bill, which aligns with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards, also seeks to empower the NSITF to sanction defaulters — a power missing in the current law.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who seconded the motion, said the reform supports President Bola Tinubu’s drive to reduce bureaucratic costs and strengthen institutional efficiency.
Former Minister of Labour, Senator Simon Lalong, described the measure as “timely and necessary,” while Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) said it would simplify Nigeria’s labour laws and make them easier to enforce.
Senate President Akpabio commended Fasuyi for the initiative and referred the bill to the Committee on Labour and Employment for further work, directing it to report back within four weeks.
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