The situation of sexual minorities in Nigeria has deteriorated
In 2014, the number of asylum applications submitted in Finland by Nigerians was 166. Between January and May 2015, the number of such applications was 67. Almost 20 per cent of the Nigerian asylum seekers who were interviewed last year referred to homosexuality while seeking asylum. This is revealed by the asylum interview protocols examined by the Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service.
According to a recent report under the ‘Suuntaus’ project, based on information from public sources, life for LGBTI groups (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sexual persons) in Nigeria is harsh, and the situation has recently deteriorated.
Homosexuality is regarded as a sin in Nigeria, and communities maintain a hostile attitude towards homosexuals. Many of them must lead a double life and are pressured to marry by their families.
Threats of imprisonment, torture or even stoning to death
In January 2014, the former president Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill that prohibits same-sex marriages or registered partnerships with the threat of 14 years of imprisonment. Marriages entered elsewhere are not recognised.
Those having sex “against nature” are threatened with a sentence of 14 years of imprisonment in all parts of the country. In addition, the Sharia law applied in Northern Nigeria prescribes penalties such as whippings, imprisonment and stoning to death for homosexual acts.
The biggest threat is, however, the society. Crowds of people have picked up suspected homosexuals from their homes and humiliated or assaulted them in public. Already before the entry into force of the new act, the number of arrests has increased and it is reported that the police has forced confessions by assaulting and torturing the suspects.
Slightly better conditions in large cities
Conditions are slightly better in only a few large cities, such as Abuja and Lagos. In the westernised and relatively liberal Victoria Island area of Lagos, wealthy homosexuals seem to be able to live openly.
A dozen LGBTI organisations operate in Nigeria, most of them in Lagos.
| Themes for country information reports from asylum interview protocols |
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The current theme report is an outcome of the Suuntaus project, a country information development project funded by the European Refugee Fund. Four country information researchers are involved in the project. These researchers are seeking to identify current recurring themes in the protocols of interviews with persons seeking asylum in Finland. The topics of theme reports – public documents based on information from public sources – have been collected from a total of more than 300 interview protocols. Theme reports on Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Russia and stateless persons are published during the spring and summer of 2015. The Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service continuously collects information on the countries of origin of asylum seekers. The Suuntaus project is part of this work. The information obtained helps immigration officials when making permit decisions. |
Further information:
- Arno Tanner, Project Manager, tel. +385 295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
- Tanja Saari, Researcher, tel. +385 295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
