2022 Human Rights Violation Report

Since 2015, The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) has been documenting the various incidences of human rights violations inflicted against sexual and gender minorities in Nigeria. These human rights violations are directly linked to the discriminatory laws against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQIA+) people in the country. Human rights abuses, along with institutionalised homophobia and transphobia, remain prevalent in Nigeria. This situation persists even though the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.1 Section 17 of the Nigerian Constitution also promises the promotion of good government and the welfare of all persons on the principles of freedom, equality and justice. These fundamental objectives and principles hinge on democratic principles of inclusion and progress. However, this is not the reality for many Nigerians, specifically women and sexual and gender minorities.