The new sexual offences bill passed by the Nigerian Senate set the age of consent for sex at 11 years, when the intention of the bill was actually to punish sexual offences.
The new law punishes those who have sexual relations with children under 11 years with life imprisonment, whilst several prison sentences was set for those who deliberately infect others with HIV, gang rape, lacing the drink of someone with the intention to sexually abuse them; as well as child seks tourism, sexual harassment, and prostitution of persons with mental disabilities.
However, the law says nothing about those who have seks with children above 11 years. In fact, when this law is looked at in conjunction with another law that recognises child brides as adults, the implication is that having amorous relations with a 12 year old is ok under the law. Nigerianwatch.com has a piece on it and the background of one of the law’s backers, a Muslim Senator who has numerous child brides: Ahmed Yerima.