Nigerian Gay Couple Appeals for Help, Says Family and Neighbours Are Threatening Their Lives

A Nigerian same-sex couple has appealed to members of the public for support to leave the country, claiming that their safety is under threat from family members, neighbours and people at their workplaces.

In a message circulating online, one of the men, who identified his partner as Uchendu, said the couple had been living openly as a gay couple but had now reached a point where they feared for their lives.

“Nigerians come and help us. Me and my boyfriend Uchendu are not safe,” the individual said in the appeal.

According to the message, the couple are seeking assistance to relocate outside Nigeria, alleging that people within their immediate communities and workplaces have turned against them because of their relationship.

“We have both been living openly as a G@y couple but now we need your support to leave this country & relocate outside Nigeria,” the message added.

The individual further claimed that their family members, neighbours and colleagues were “all after our lives,” although no independent evidence confirming the alleged threats or identifying those responsible was provided alongside the appeal.

The plea has drawn attention to the challenges faced by LGBTQ Nigerians who choose to live openly in a country where same-sex relationships and unions face significant legal and social restrictions.

Nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act criminalises same-sex unions and certain forms of public advocacy and involvement in same-sex relationships. Same-sex sexual activity is also criminalised under other laws, with penalties varying by jurisdiction.

Human-rights reports and documentation have previously highlighted concerns about harassment, violence, blackmail and social exclusion affecting LGBTQ people in Nigeria. The legal and social environment has also prompted some Nigerians to seek protection or asylum abroad.

For the couple behind the latest appeal, however, the immediate concern is their claimed personal safety and their request for assistance to relocate.

The specific identities of the couple, the location of the alleged threats and whether any formal complaint has been made to law-enforcement authorities could not be independently established from the information available.