LGBTQ people in Nigeria

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Nigeria face significant challenges. LGBTQ rights in Nigeria are denied by law, with even more severe limitations on LGBTQ rights in Northern Nigeria. However, the LGBTQ community, estimated at 15 to 20 million people, continues to maintain an underground culture, especially in Southern Nigeria.

Demographics

Estimates of the homosexual population in the country have ranged from fifteen to twenty million.[1][2][3] Studies have found that the majority of LGBTQ Nigerians identify as Christian, in denominations such as Anglicanism.[4]

Rights

Main articles: LGBTQ rights in Nigeria and Recognition of same-sex unions in Nigeria

Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized throughout Nigeria under various laws, including federal and state codes.[5] Punishments range from imprisonment to capital punishment in some northern states governed by Shari'a law.[5]

Federal laws

  • In southern Nigeria, the Criminal Code criminalizes sex acts between men with penalties up to 14 years' imprisonment. Gross indecency between men is punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
  • In northern Nigeria, the Penal Code prohibits "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" for men and women, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Shari'a in Northern States

Main article: LGBTQ rights in Northern Nigeria
  • Twelve northern states implement Shari'a-based criminal laws applying to Muslims and those who consent to Shari'a court jurisdiction.[5]
  • Sodomy and lesbianism are severely punished, with penalties ranging from 100 lashes to death by stoning, depending on marital status and location.
  • Lesbianism is defined as carnal acts or stimulation between women, punishable by imprisonment or caning in most states, with death penalties applied in Kano and Katsina.
  • Cross-dressing and "imitating the opposite gender" are penalized in some states. For example, Kano imposes up to one year in prison or a fine for men who dress or behave as women.
  • Being labeled a "vagabond" or "incorrigible vagabond" for engaging in same-sex acts or cross-dressing carries punishments of imprisonment, caning, or fines.

History

Early history

In pre-Islamic Hausa culture, in areas now including northern Nigeria, ƴan daudu were men with feminine attributes.[6]

1970s

LGBTQ organizing in Nigeria dates back to at least the 1970s.[7] Until 1999, when military rule in Nigeria ended, LGBTQ organizing did not focus on political rights, due to more widespread restrictions on political organizing and activity.[7]

The first Nigerian branch of the LGBTQ-affirming Metropolitan Community Church was founded in 1974 in Imo State.[7] In 1976, the congregation's first minister, Methodist Sylvanus Maduka, was the first non-white minister ordained in the MCC.[7] It is unclear how many of the church's members, if any, were gay or lesbian, but congregation leadership did publish in support of LGBTQ rights.[7]

Also during the 1970s, Area Scatter was a cross-dressing performer and musician in Eastern Nigeria.[6]

1980s-1990s

In 1989, the Nigerian Gentlemen Alliance was founded in Lagos.[7] The gay men's social club aimed to provide HIV-prevention education, and worked to support the LGBTQ Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom.[7] Its formal meetings saw limited attendance, but its parties saw higher attendance, with a 1991 event having up to 1,500 attendees.[7] Beyond Lagos, the organization founded multiple state branches, including in Kaduna, with meetings in Zaria.[7]

The return to democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999 also brought about a number of organizations seeking to address to HIV/AIDS crisis and provide healthcare.[7] Alliance Rights Nigeria, founded in 1999, held private meetings for its gay members and organized public lectures "focused on AIDS, STDs, and safe sex".[7]

2000s

In 2004, the Alliance Rights Nigeria programs director, Bisi Alimi, came out publicly on the popular NTA talk show New Dawn with Funmi.[8] By May 2004, Alliance Rights Nigeria was the only LGBTQ organization in the country "with a public presence".[7] The group later partnered with the Nigerian Ministry of Health in 2007, on the HIV/STI Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBSS).[7]

The early 2000s also saw LGBTQ religious groups, such as Changing Attitude Nigeria, founded by Davis Mac-Iyalla in 2005, and the MCC-affiliated House of Rainbow, founded by Jide Macaulay in 2006.[7] A daughter organization of House of Rainbow, Daughters of Jezebel, worked to support lesbians.[7]

By the mid-2000s, groups were beginning to organize in support of LGBTQ rights, such as the Coalition for the Defense of Sexual Rights in Nigeria (founded 2005) and The Initiative For Equal Rights.[7] This more public organizing exposed activists to outbursts of homophobic violence and being outed in the Nigerian press.[7] From the mid-2000s onward, activists also have increasingly utilized social media to politically organize.[7][9]

Culture

Many LGBTQ Nigerians use the label 'queer', due to the legal repercussions of being deemed gay or lesbian.[10]

Despite repressive laws and public attitudes, an underground LGBTQ culture does exist, especially in Lagos and its suburbs. Many LGBTQ Lagos residents found an inclusive space in Lagos Fashion Week, which embraced gender non-conforming styles and models, although the event has been under pressure for years to dampen this attitude. Some more inclusive brands have chosen to hold private showings of their collections.[11]

The city has been home to a ballroom scene since the early 2000s;[12] to protect attendees, event details are released only shortly beforehand. LGBTQ party organizers may partner with private security firms to ensure partygoers' safety.[10] Pride in Lagos, an annual event held since 2021, includes ballroom performances.[13]

Many LGBTQ Nigerians use social media to connect and to share their experiences and opinions.[14]

Nonfiction books

  • Lives of Great Men: Living and Loving as an African Gay Man (2017) by Chike Frankie Edozien[15]
  • She Called Me Woman: Nigeria's Queer Women Speak (2018), collection of interviews with 25 Nigerian lesbians[16]
  • Embracing My Shadow (2021) by Unoma Azuah, country's first lesbian memoir[17]

Novels

Films

Magazines

Societal views

See also: LGBTQ rights in Nigeria § Living conditions

Pentecostal leaders within Nigeria tend to "vehemently preach against homosexuality".[23]

Schools and universities in Nigeria tend to promote compulsory heterosexuality. LGBTQ students often face "rejection, bullying, and victimization" from both family members and school authorities, with some being expelled from schools and universities.[24] Studies have also found negative attitude towards the LGBTQ community among newspapers,[25][26] librarians,[27] and social workers[28] in Nigeria.

Some organizations in Nigeria try to assist LGBTQ persons, such as the Metropolitan Community Church. Affiliation with these groups may place individuals at risk of violence or abuse.[29]

Asylum seekers

The enforcement of Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act has not only criminalized same-sex unions but also prohibited LGBTQ advocacy, gatherings, and public expressions of affection. This legislation has forced many LGBTQ Nigerians to seek asylum abroad, including in the United States.[30] Asylum seekers often cite fears of violence, ostracism, and legal repercussions under both secular and Shari'a laws.[30] Activists have also highlighted the significant health and economic consequences of the law, as it hampers access to HIV prevention services and forces LGBTQ individuals and allies to abandon their work in community health and education.[30]

Organizations such as Housing Works in Brooklyn provide vital support for LGBTQ asylum seekers from Nigeria, assisting with legal representation, housing, and access to medical care.[30] Asylum seekers face challenges even after fleeing Nigeria, including the trauma of displacement, societal stigma, and concern for family members who remain at risk back home.[30] For some, the opportunity to live openly is tempered by ongoing fears of being targeted or exposing their loved ones to harm.[30]

References

  1. ^ Sussner, Petra (2022-03-01). "Addressing Heteronormativity: The Not-So-Lost Requirement of Discretion in (Austrian) Asylum Law". International Journal of Refugee Law. 34 (1). Oxford University Press (OUP): 31–53. doi:10.1093/ijrl/eeac018. ISSN 0953-8186.
  2. ^ Adéné, Ayϙ (2017-08-10). "Nigeria - 42 LGBT persons arrested". ZAM. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  3. ^ Stewart, C. (2009). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of LGBT Issues Worldwide [3 volumes]: [3 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 2-PA98. ISBN 978-0-313-34232-5. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  4. ^ Nel, M. (2021). LGBTIQ + people and Pentecostals: An African Pentecostal hermeneutic perspective. Exegese in Unserer Zeit. Kontextuelle Bi Series. Lit Verlag. p. 176. ISBN 978-3-643-91248-0. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. ^ a b c Ostien, Philip (2007). "Chapter 4 Part III: The Centre for Islamic Legal Studies' Draft Harmonised Sharia Penal Code Annotated". Sharia Implementation in Northern Nigeria 1999–2006: A Sourcebook (PDF). Vol. 4. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.
  6. ^ a b Iwalaiye, Temi (2 August 2022). "The long history of cross-dressing in Nigeria". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Barker, Caitlin; Carty, Ryan; Dillahunt-Holloway, Ajamu Amiri; Lazar, Mircea; Ntombela, Nomzamo Portia (2023-03-01). "Before the Anti-Homosexuality Bill: The Historical Contours of LGBT Organizing in Nigeria". Journal of West African History. 9 (1): 111–145. doi:10.14321/jwestafrihist.9.1.0111. ISSN 2327-1868.
  8. ^ "Persecuted for being gay". The Guardian. 2011-09-13. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  9. ^ Onanuga, Paul (2021-10-02). "Coming Out and Reaching Out: Linguistic Advocacy on Queer Nigerian Twitter". Journal of African Cultural Studies. 33 (4): 489–504. doi:10.1080/13696815.2020.1806799. ISSN 1369-6815.
  10. ^ a b Opeyemi, Todah (2024-06-26). "Nigeria's underground queer ballroom scene". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  11. ^ Akinwande, Bolaji (2024-06-13). "The Nigerian fashion labels feeling forced to show in private". CNN. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  12. ^ "Nigeria's repressed LGBTQ party people let 'true self' out at Lagos ball". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  13. ^ Akinwande, Bolaji (2024-01-09). "Ballroom Celebrations Are a Bastion of Joy for LGBTQ Nigerians". TheBody. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  14. ^ C.J, Nelson (2021-04-14). "How Queer Nigerian YouTubers Are Creating Community Online". Them. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  15. ^ "Chike Frankie Edozien wins Lambda Literary Award for 'Lives of Great Men'". The Rustin Times. 2018-06-05. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  16. ^ "A Unique Window on Being Queer in Nigeria". Voice of America. 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  17. ^ Gleibermann, Erik (2021-02-24). "The First Lesbian Memoir From Nigeria By Unoma Azuah". CURVE. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  18. ^ a b Green-Simms, Lindsey (2021-01-02). "Walking with Shadows: Jude Dibia and Olumide Makanjuola in Conversation with Lindsey Green-Simms". Journal of African Cultural Studies. doi:10.1080/13696815.2020.1816932. ISSN 1369-6815.
  19. ^ "And Then He Sang a Lullaby". Kirkus Reviews. April 11, 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Nigerian Activist Pamela Adie: "Visual storytelling is powerful"". Golden Globes. 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  21. ^ Kenechukwu, Nwokedi (June 20, 2023). "This Duo Want to Improve LGBTQ Representation in Nollywood | OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  22. ^ Akinwotu, Emmanuel (2017-11-16). "Nigeria's Nasty Boy: 'People in my law class thought I worked for a porn site'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  23. ^ Osisanwo, Ayo; Alugbin, Matthew (2024). "Pentecostal voices and discourse perspectives to LGBTQ+ narratives in Nigeria". African Identities. 0: 1–17. doi:10.1080/14725843.2024.2427177. ISSN 1472-5843.
  24. ^ Okanlawon, Kehinde (2021-10-02). "Homophobia in Nigerian schools and universities: Victimization, Mental Health Issues, Resilience of the LGBT Students and support from Straight Allies. A Literature review". Journal of LGBT Youth. 18 (4): 327–359. doi:10.1080/19361653.2020.1749211. ISSN 1936-1653.
  25. ^ Adegbola, Olubunmi Funmi (2022-02-11). "The discursive construction of gay people in news reports of selected Nigerian newspapers". Journal of Language and Sexuality. 11 (1): 80–100. doi:10.1075/jls.19009.ade. ISSN 2211-3770.
  26. ^ Oyebanji, Olubunmi Funmi (2023-05-01). "Illegitimation of same-sex sexualities in news reports of selected Nigerian newspapers". Discourse & Society. 34 (3): 273–290. doi:10.1177/09579265221142447. ISSN 0957-9265.
  27. ^ Martins, Sugabsen; Musa, Yinasim Pius (2024). "Librarians' perception of the information needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) in Nigeria" (PDF). Journal of Library Services and Technologies. 6 (3): 69–80. doi:10.47524/jlst.v6i3.70.
  28. ^ George, Elizabeth Onyedikachi; Ekoh, Prince Chiagozie (2020-12-11). "Social workers' perception of practice with lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGBs) in Nigeria". Journal of Comparative Social Work. 15 (2): 56–78. doi:10.31265/jcsw.v15i2.306. ISSN 0809-9936.
  29. ^ ""Tell Me Where I Can Be Safe"". Human Rights Watch. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Shakur, Fayemi (2014-09-26). "Gay Africans Seeking Asylum in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-01-09.

Further reading

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