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LGBTQ rights in Nigeria

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See also: LGBTQ rights in Northern Nigeria

LGBTQ rights in Nigeria
Nigeria
StatusIllegal since 1904 (Northern Region only; as Northern Nigeria Protectorate)[1]: 34 
Illegal since 1916 (Region-wide; as Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria)[1]: 34 
PenaltyUp to 14 years imprisonment
Life imprisonment according to federal law
States under Shari'a law: Death
(Applies to persons who have consented to jurisdiction of Shari'a courts plus all Muslims)
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo recognition of same-sex unions
Restrictions"The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act" criminalises all forms of same-sex unions
AdoptionNo
Cape Town Pride 2014 participants protested in support of LGBT rights in Nigeria.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Nigeria face severe challenges. Both male and female expressions of homosexuality are illegal in Nigeria and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.[2] There are no legal protections for LGBTQ people in Nigeria—a largely conservative country of more than 230 million people,[3] split between a mainly Muslim north and a mainly Christian south. Very few LGBTQ people are open about their sexuality, as violence against them is frequent. According to PinkNews, Nigerian authorities generally target the LGBTQ community.[4] Many LGBTQ Nigerians seek asylum to countries with progressive laws.[5]

Attempted same-sex marriages have also been criminalised within Nigeria since 2013. The maximum punishment in the 12 northern states that have adopted Shari'a law is death by stoning. That law applies to all Muslims and to those who have voluntarily consented to application of the Shari'a courts. In southern Nigeria and under the secular criminal laws of northern Nigeria, the maximum punishment for same-sex sexual activity is 14 years' imprisonment.

According to the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project, 97%[6] of Nigerian residents believe that homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept, which was the second-highest rate of non-acceptance in the 45 countries surveyed.[7] In 2015, a survey by an organisation founded by a Nigerian homosexual activist based in London claimed this percentage decreased to 94%. In this survey by Bisi Alimi, as of the same period the percentage of Nigerians who agree LGBT persons should receive education, healthcare, and housing is 30%.[8] The level of disapproval declined slightly to 91% in another Pew Research Center poll in 2019.[9]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

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Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized throughout Nigeria under various laws, including federal and state codes.[10] Punishments range from imprisonment to capital punishment in some northern states governed by Shari'a law.[10]

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 Law in Northern States:

  • Twelve northern states implement Shari'a-based criminal laws applying to Muslims and those who consent to Shari'a court jurisdiction.[10]
  • 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.

Other Criminalized Behaviors:

  • 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.

This legal framework reflects a combination of colonial-era laws, Islamic jurisprudence, and local statutes, creating a restrictive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

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Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Nigeria

Public opinion on same-sex marriage (2023) based on Pew Research Center[11]

  Strongly favor (1%)
  Somewhat favor (1%)
  Not sure (1%)
  Somewhat oppose (5%)
  Strongly oppose (92%)

On 18 January 2007, the cabinet of Nigeria approved the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2006 and sent it to the National Assembly for urgent action.[12] The bill, however, did not pass.[Note 1]

On 29 November 2011, the Senate of Nigeria passed the "Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2011". The bill was passed on 30 May 2013 by the House of Representatives of Nigeria.[13] If signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, the bill would:

  • make a marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex "invalid and illegal and ... not recognized as entitled to the benefits of a valid marriage"
  • make void and unenforceable in Nigeria a marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex by virtue of a certificate issued by a foreign country
  • prohibit the solemnization of any marriage or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex "in any place of worship either Church or Mosque or any other place or whatsoever called in Nigeria"
  • prohibit the registration of "gay clubs, societies and organisations, their sustenance, processions and meetings"
  • prohibit the "public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly"
  • make a person who enters into a same sex marriage contract or civil union liable for 14 years' imprisonment
  • make a person who "registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisation, or directly or indirectly make public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria" liable for 10 years' imprisonment
  • make a person or group of persons that "witness, abet and aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage or civil union, or supports the registration, operation and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria" liable for 10 years' imprisonment
  • define "civil union" for purposes of this law to mean "any arrangement between persons of the same sex to live together as sex partners, and ... include such descriptions as adult independent relationships, caring partnerships, civil partnerships, civil solidarity pacts, domestic partnerships, reciprocal beneficiary relationships, registered partnerships, significant relationships, stable unions, etc."[14]

On 7 January 2014, the president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which parliament passed in May 2013. The law follows a similar one passed in Uganda in December 2013, which imposes life imprisonment for some types of homosexual acts.

Anti-discrimination protections

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The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not specifically protect LGBT rights, but it does contain various provisions guaranteeing all citizens equal rights (Section 17(2)(a)) as well as other rights, including adequate medical and health care (Section 17(3)(d)) and equal opportunity in the workplace (Section 17(3)(a)).[15]

There is no enacted legislation protecting against discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. None of the political parties in Nigeria has formally endorsed LGBT rights. Two of the most successful political parties in the National Assembly, the People's Democratic Party and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, are overtly hostile to LGBT rights. Smaller, more liberal political parties have also spoken against LGBT rights.

Living conditions

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Nigeria is considered a conservative country.[16] There is demonstrated public hostility towards same-sex relationships.[17] In addition to legal punishment, openly homosexual citizens are subject to public aggression and violence.

Since the enactment of Nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) in 2014, LGBTQ individuals have faced intensified harassment, violence, and social exclusion.[18] Blackmailers, neighbors, and law enforcement officers frequently exploit the law to target LGBTQ people, often using social media to entrap victims.[18] Arrests and public humiliation are common, and many individuals fear seeking medical care or reporting crimes.[18]

While Western advocacy, particularly by the United States, has provided financial support for LGBTQ rights in Nigeria and other African countries, critics argue that these efforts have often had unintended consequences.[18] The visibility of LGBTQ individuals has increased, prompting backlash from conservative factions who see the movement as a form of cultural imperialism.[18] Some Nigerian activists suggest that discreet, locally driven advocacy is a more effective approach to improving conditions for LGBTQ communities.[18]

The law has also deepened stigma, with many Nigerians associating LGBTQ identities with foreign influence.[18] Activists and rights groups have reported that the SSMPA has emboldened vigilantes and fostered a climate of impunity for anti-LGBTQ violence.[18] Despite these challenges, organizations such as the The Initiative For Equal Rights continue to provide essential support and advocacy for LGBTQ Nigerians.[18]

Estimates of the homosexual population in the country have ranged from fifteen to twenty million.[19][20][21] Studies have found that the majority of LGBT Nigerians identify as Christian in denominations such as Anglicanism.[22]

Some organizations in Nigeria try to assist LGBT persons, such as the Metropolitan Community Churches. Affiliation with these groups may place individuals at risk of violence or abuse.[17]

The U.S. Department of State's 2011 Human Rights Report found:[23]: 50 

Because of widespread societal taboos against homosexuality, very few persons openly revealed their orientation. The [non-governmental organizations] ... Global Rights and The Independent Project provided lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups with legal advice and training in advocacy, media responsibility, and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Arrests

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In August 2007, eighteen men were arrested by Bauchi state police and charged with sodomy for dressing as women, which is illegal under Shari'a penal code.[24] These charges were later dropped to vagrancy, and the men were held in jail for several years waiting for trial — which eventually dissolved by the end of 2011.[23]: 51 

On 12 September 2008, four newspapers published the names and addresses of twelve members of the House of rainbow Metropolitan Church, an LGBT-friendly church in Lagos. Some of these members were threatened, beaten and stoned by members of the public.[25] Following these incidents the church cancelled conferences for concerns about the safety of attendees.[23]: 51 

On 15 April 2017, authorities in the state of Kaduna arrested 53 men for allegedly conspiring to attend a same-sex wedding.[26] The accused were charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and belonging to an unlawful society.[27][28][29]

Lagos State arrested 42 men for homosexuality in August 2017.[30] In June 2018, the Nigerian police arrested more than 100 party-goers at a hotel in Asaba, Delta State, on charges that they were gays and lesbians.[31] By July 2018, they were facing homosexuality-related charges in court.[32]

In January 2019, Dolapo Badmos, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, warned homosexuals to flee the country or face prosecution. She stated in an Instagram post: "Any persons that are homosexually orientated should leave Nigeria or risk facing prosecution." Dolapo Badmos continues to state that there are laws in Nigeria that forbid homosexual clubs, associations and organisations where anyone found to be associated with these could be penalised up to 15 years in jail.[33][34]

In August 2023, police raided a gay wedding in Warri in Delta state and arrested dozens of people.[35]

In October 2023, 76 people (59 men and 17 women) were arrested at a gay party in Gombe state in northern Nigeria where police said a gay wedding was to be held.[35]

Egbeda 57

The Egbeda 57 was a case that held attention of the nation and that of the LGBTQ community in Nigeria for two years. It was believed to have started with a birthday party held in a hotel in Egbeda a suburban community in Lagos Nigeria, in 2018; a party believed to have been attended by young men and women, but which was interrupted by a police raid that led to the arrest of everyone the police could round up from the hotel’s environs. However, 57 of the young men arrested during the raid were alleged to be having an initiation into the LGBTQ community.[36][37][38][39] Among the victims was James Brown, a Nigerian crossdresser who become popularly known with the Nigerian slang "They Didnt Caught Me".

Warri 67

The Warri 67 is a case of mass arrest that took place at supposed gay party/marriage ceremony at a hotel in Warri, a suburban city in Delta state, Southern Nigeria. The victims of the raids were said to be counted in 100s. However, 67 of them charged to court for trial. The police in a statement following the arrest said they acted based on tipped information from undisclosed source about a marriage ceremony that was taking place in a private hotel. The raid however raised eyebrows from human right observers and the internal community, as the party was a private one and the organizers are supposed to be accorded their right to privacy.[40][41][42][43]

Gombe 76

The Gombe 76 was a case of mass arrest which occurred in Gombe, a state in the North Eastern region of Nigeria. The raid and arrest were carried out by members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NCDC). The security operatives in a realized statement said the arrest was made following a tip-off on a same-sex birthday party and a planned marriage in the state capital. The security personals alleged 21 of the victims had confessed to be gay. The arrest was, however, criticized by Amnesty International.[44][45][46]

Ambassador to the UN

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In 2006, Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, delivered an oral statement to the Human Rights Council. To this, Joseph Ayalogu, the Nigerian ambassador to the UN,[47] countered that "homosexuality and lesbianism " are "serious offences and odious conduct", that capital punishment is "appropriate and just punishment," and that those who believe executions are "excessive" are "judgemental rather than objective".[48][49]

Lagos Fashion Week

[edit]

Though Lagos Fashion Week is held twice yearly in public, some fashion labels choose to hold only private showings to prevent accusations of immorality or to avoid last-minute cancellations by hosts amid negative attention.[50]

Experiences of Nigerian LGBTQ Asylum Seekers

[edit]

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.[51] Asylum seekers often cite fears of violence, ostracism, and legal repercussions under both secular and Shari'a laws.[51] 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.[51]

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.[51] 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.[51] For some, the opportunity to live openly is tempered by ongoing fears of being targeted or exposing their loved ones to harm.[51]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Han, Enze (3 May 2018). British Colonialism and the Criminalization of Homosexuality. Routledge. ISBN 9781351256186.
  2. ^ Bourbeau, Heather (December 2019). "Human Rights". Shari'ah Criminal Law in Northern Nigeria: 39. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022 – via justice.gov.
  3. ^ "The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. 20 October 2022.
  4. ^ Condon, Ali (November 2023). "Nigeria: Mass LGBTQ+ arrests 'based on assumptions, not investigation', activists say". PinkNews. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  5. ^ Tayo, Ayomide O. "From near death to detention in USA, this is the story of LGBTQ+ activist Edafe Okporo". Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  6. ^ The number of adults (all were at least 18 years of age) surveyed in Nigeria was 1,128, yielding a margin of error of 3 percent with a 95 percent confidence level.
  7. ^ ""Pew Global Attitudes Project", (pages 35, 83, and 117)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  8. ^ Alimi, Adebisi. "Why My Mom Didn't Say 'I Love You' For 11 Years." National Public Radio. 19 July 2015. Retrieved on 21 July 2015.
  9. ^ ""The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists"". 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Sharia Implementation in Northern Nigeria 1999–2006: A Sourcebook, authored by Philip Ostien, Spectrum Books Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2007, volume IV, chapter 4, part III (republished on the Internet by the University of Bayreuth with permission of the author and publisher)" (PDF).
  11. ^ "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage". PewResearchCenter. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  12. ^ ""Appendix: A Bill for an Act To Make Provisions for the Prohibition of Sexual Relationship Between Persons of the Same Sex, Celebration of Marriage By Them And For Other Matters Connected Therewith", reprinted in "Human Rights, Homosexuality and the Anglican Communion: Reflections in Light of Nigeria", Fulcrum: Renewing the Evangelical Centre, authored by Ephraim Radner and Andrew Goddard". Archived from the original on 12 June 2008.
  13. ^ "Nigerian Same Sex Marriage Ban Violates LGBTI Rights". www.freedomhouse.org.
  14. ^ "Nigeria Same Sex Marriage Bill-final" – via Scribd.
  15. ^ "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". www.nigeria-law.org.
  16. ^ Hancock, Edith. "The 25 most conservative, intolerant, and polluted countries in the world". Business Insider. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  17. ^ a b ""Tell Me Where I Can Be Safe"". Human Rights Watch. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Onishi, Norimitsu (20 December 2015). "U.S. Support of Gay Rights in Africa May Have Done More Harm Than Good". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  19. ^ Sussner, Petra (1 March 2022). "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.
  20. ^ Adéné, Ayϙ (10 August 2017). "Nigeria - 42 LGBT persons arrested". ZAM. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  21. ^ 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 1 August 2023.
  22. ^ 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 1 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b c "2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State" (PDF).
  24. ^ "2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State.
  25. ^ "2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, page 58" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Nigeria charges 53 over gay wedding". SBS News. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  27. ^ Broverman, Neal (22 April 2017). "53 Men Arrested in Nigeria for Attending 'Gay Wedding'". The Advocate. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  28. ^ Gaffey, Conor (20 April 2017). "Nigeria: 53 People Charged for 'Same-Sex Marriage Conspiracy'". Newsweek. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  29. ^ "Nigeria 'gay wedding' bust leads to charges". BBC News. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  30. ^ "Mass 'homosexual' arrests in Nigeria". BBC News. 31 July 2017.
  31. ^ "Nigeria: Police arrest over 100 alleged gay and lesbians". Rights Africa – Equal Rights, One Voice!. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  32. ^ Daemon, Mike (2 July 2018). "Nigeria: 100+ youths face homosexuality charges in court". Erasing 76 Crimes. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Leave Nigeria now or suffer, police tell homosexuals". Punch Newspapers. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  34. ^ "Nigerian police chief says gay people 'should leave country'". The Week UK. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Nigeria's paramilitary raids birthday party, arrests 76 gay people". CNN. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  36. ^ https://www.google.com/search?q=Egbeda+57&oq=Egbeda+57&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTI2MzU4ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 [bare URL]
  37. ^ "57 suspected homosexuals arrested during initiation in Lagos". 28 August 2018.
  38. ^ https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/281505-nigeria-police-storm-hotel-arrest-57-accuse-them-of-homosexuality.html [bare URL]
  39. ^ "Police storm hotel, arrest 57 for alleged homosexual initiation". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  40. ^ Omonigho, Matthew (29 August 2023). "Police arrest 67 gay suspects in Delta hotel". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  41. ^ Adurokiya, Ebenezer (29 August 2023). "Police arrest gay suspects at wedding ceremony in Delta". Tribune Online. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Police storm gay marriage venue in Delta, arrest couple, 65 others - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  43. ^ "100 queer persons arrested at a party in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria". 5 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  44. ^ Babangida, Mohammed (25 October 2023). "Amnesty International demands release of suspected gays arrested in Gombe". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Nigerian Security Operatives Arrest 76 Suspects At Same-Sex Wedding In Gombe State | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  46. ^ Opanuga, Jimisayo (23 October 2023). "Civil Defence arrests 76 people at same-sex birthday, planned wedding in Gombe". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Joseph Ayalogu". Profoh. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  48. ^ "Love, hate and the law: decriminalizing homosexuality". www.amnesty.org. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  49. ^ "Recognizing human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the Human Rights Council, Session 8" (PDF). ARC International. 2–18 June 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  50. ^ Akinwande, Bolaji (13 June 2024). "The Nigerian fashion labels feeling forced to show in private". CNN. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  51. ^ a b c d e f Shakur, Fayemi (26 September 2014). "Gay Africans Seeking Asylum in New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
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