Recognition of same-sex unions in Nigeria

On January 18, 2007, the Federal Executive Council proposed a bill prohibiting same-sex marriages and urged the National Assembly to pass it urgently.

According to the Minister of Justice, Bayo Ojo, the bill was pushed by President Olusegun Obasanjo following the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) in Abuja in 2005.

The bill would call for five years' imprisonment for anyone who "undergoes, performs, witnesses, aids, or abets" a same-sex marriage.

In March 2006, 16 international human rights groups signed a letter condemning the law, calling it a violation of freedoms of expression, association and assembly guaranteed by international law as well as by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and a barrier to the struggle against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

It states: "A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies or organizations, or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years."

It passed Parliament with little opposition,[4] and was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 7, 2014 as the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 (SSMPA).

[13] Female same-sex marriages are also practiced among the Yoruba, Nupe and Ijaw peoples,[10] and predate the arrival of Roman Catholic and Anglican missionaries to Nigeria in the 19th century.

[14][15] However, this traditional practice has gradually disappeared due to the influence of Christian churches, and polling suggests that most women now disapprove of the institution.

[27][28][29] The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria issued a statement on 20 December condemning the declaration and stating that "there is no possibility in the Church of blessing same-sex unions and activities.

"[30] A 2015 opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls in partnership with the Initiative for Equal Rights and the Bisi Alimi Foundation showed that 87% of Nigerians supported the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013.

[32] A Pew Research Center poll conducted between February and May 2023 showed that 2% of Nigerians supported same-sex marriage, 97% were opposed and 1% did not know or refused to answer.