A Nigerian gay couple has launched a GiveSendGo campaign seeking ₦14 million to relocate abroad, citing humiliation and threats under Nigeria’s 2013 law that bans same-sex affection with up to 14 years in prison. The couple has raised about ₦618,000 so far, just 4.4% of their target. For them, ₦14 million represents the cost of safety. Videos attached to the campaign show them embracing, alongside pleas for safety.
The couple’s plight has drawn mixed reactions. Some Nigerians have offered sympathy and small donations. Others question whether the campaign is genuine or a scam. The scepticism reflects a broader distrust of online fundraising in a country where fraud is common. The couple has not provided details of their location or identities, citing safety concerns.
Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 criminalises same-sex relationships and public displays of affection. It imposes up to 14 years in prison. In 12 northern states, Sharia law allows the death penalty for gay sex. The law has forced many LGBTQ+ Nigerians to hide their identities or flee the country.
This echoes the 2013 law’s passage, which Western governments widely condemned but many Nigerians supported. The law has made Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries in the world for LGBTQ+ people. It has also strained Nigeria’s relations with countries that support gay rights.
The winners: none. The losers: the couple, who face threats and limited options; and Nigeria’s LGBTQ+ community, which remains vulnerable to violence and prosecution.
Bottom Line: A couple is trying to buy their way out of a country that criminalises their love. The campaign has raised a fraction of what they need. The question is whether they will escape or remain trapped.