The ‘dos and don’ts’ of supporting a marginalised group

The ‘dos and don’ts’ of supporting a marginalised group

On any other day it will make all the sense in the world to simply say, “Support marginalised groups,” and leave it at that. It is a simple enough ask to make of decent people because it is clear on two things – that these people are treated as insignificant or peripheral and that we... Read More

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, human rights, LGBT Pride, nigeria, Trans Rights

June 7, 2021

#PrideMonth: Introducing ‘Loving in Colour – The Heart of Defiance’ | A #YNaijaSpecial

By Ayodele Olofintuade When Non-binary writer, Ado Aminu approached me to collaborate with YNaija to curate this year’s Pride Month Issue, “Loving in Colour: A celebration of Queer Love,” I began to ruminate over what it means to be queer and to love in Nigeria. The word ‘love’ itself is something I struggle with, not... Read More

gay, Gay pride, human rights, LGBT Pride, LGBT+, pride month

June 7, 2021

We can learn a thing or two from Nigeria’s Twitter ban

In the wake of the federal government arbitrarily banning Twitter in Nigeria, the bulk of the conversation being had is on the rights to freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution that everyone understands is being violated by the government. More than conversation, however, just a day after the announcement of the ban, the Attorney... Read More

Abubakar Malami, freedom of expression, human rights, LGBTQ Nigerians, Nigeria's twitter ban

June 2, 2021

International Sex Worker’s Day: Access to justice for sex workers should be our responsibility

One thing sex workers in Nigeria know on any given day is that access to justice is a pipe dream for them. The security apparatus in the country as the #ENDSARS protest magnified for the whole world to see is only another arm adding to the continuing social chokehold they are in due to the... Read More

human rights, International sex worker's day, nigeria, Sex work is work, sex workers

June 1, 2021

What does Pride mean to you? 4 LGBT+ Nigerians share

Whatever celebrating LGBT+ pride may mean to you, there is one element that run through each individual meaning – defiance, which fits perfectly with the origin of Pride celebration. Pride commemorates the Stonewall riots, which began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City’s... Read More

human rights, LGBT Pride, LGBT rights, LGBTQ Nigerians, pride month

March 24, 2021

3 LGBT+ Nigerians share the story of their gay awakening

“The onus shouldn’t be on queer people to come out,” said YNaija’s Bernard Dayo while responding to this piece we published last week, “the onus should be on cis-heterosexual people to interrogate heteronormativity – the belief that heterosexuality is the default or ‘normal’ sexual orientation.” It is the human thing to do certainly, but it... Read More

gay rights, Heteronormative, Heterosexuals, human rights, LGBTQ Nigerians, lifestyle, Love

March 22, 2021

YouTuber Victor Emmanuel is protesting against the SSMPA with a hunger strike. How will it play out?

Nigerian YouTuber, Victor Emmanuel, popularly known as VicWonder has gone on indefinite hunger strike in a protest calling for the repeal of the infamous Same-Sex Prohibition Act, 2013 (SSMPA) that criminalizes gay marriage in addition to curtailing the rights of the LGTB+ to free association. Victor, who runs the YouTube channel ‘For Fags Sake!’ revealed... Read More

#RepealSSMPA, gay rights, human rights, hunger strike, LGBT rights, nigeria, SSMPA

March 16, 2021

The Catholic church decree against same-sex unions | What it means for LGBT+ Catholics

The Catholic Church Monday said in a decree that the church cannot sanction gay marriage since God “cannot bless sin.” The message, despite how unnecessary it may seem to many who are not beholden to the church, holds relevance for many people. There are elements within the communication that may fly over the head of... Read More

catholic church, Gay marriage, human rights, LGBT rights, LGBTQ Nigerians, Religion

March 3, 2021

The list outing Nigerian male celebrities hurts both heterosexual and LGBTQ people

A list of gay/bisexual men in Nigeria, compiled by self-styled investigative journalist known only as Queen Aisha, has made the rounds on Naija Twitter and is picking up more speed by the day. The list, comprising essentially of actors, music artists and internet influencers bears the name of almost every male celebrity out there. It... Read More

Bisexual, Davido, gay, human rights, Kiddwaya, LGBTQ Nigerians, nigeria, Prince

February 24, 2021

The attack on LGBTQ people in Ghana is an attack on us all

In the past days, LGBTQ people living in Ghana have been facing heightened homophobia from the Ghanaian government, human rights lawyers and other interest groups over the opening of a center by LGBT Rights Ghana, a non governmental organisation. The center, located in Tesano, Accra, was established to provide support and community for queer Ghanaians... Read More

human rights, LGBT Rights Ghana, LGBTQ, LGBTQ Ghanaians

February 9, 2021

Gay Rights for all | US Government memorandum on global LGBT+ rights could backfire

One of the bitterly memorable legacies of the Donald Trump presidency was his alignment with the Christian Right – even if only when it served him. Because for the first time, sexual and gender minorities across the globe who looked on the global powerhouse for a crumb of protection lost hope on even that. The... Read More

gay rights, human rights, LGBT+, nigeria, President Biden, SSMPA, us government

June 13, 2020

Rubbin ’Minds partners NHRC on Human Rights Conversations for Democracy Day

Nigeria’s leading talk show, Rubbin’ Minds will this Sunday hold the Democracy Day Talks in celebration of this year’s Democracy Day. Hosted by Lawyer and Media Personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the series will showcase and celebrate those who have been at the forefront in the fight for democracy in the country. Guests include Executive Secretary of... Read More

Extra

channels television, Cheta Nwanze, David Hundeyin, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Dr Sam Amadi, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, human rights, National Human Rights Commission, Ndi Kato, NHRC, rubbin minds, Seun Oluyemi, Tony Ojukwu

December 30, 2019

The arguments are over but the rights of LGBTQ Nigerians are still not taken seriously

The LGBT discourse which made the rounds on Twitter late last week after Feminist, Gender-Equality advocate and award-winning Documentary filmmaker Kiki Mordi tweeted about the absurdity of queer people loving differently still being criminalized, thanks to the 2014 SSMPA law opened the ground for unintelligent but persistently homophobic sentiments. Unsurprised and unimpressed. It’s almost 2020... Read More

human rights, Kiki Mordi, LGBT, nigeria

December 25, 2019

Difficult to believe but the federal government is empowering a lawless generation

When the highest branch of authority in the country fails to uphold an elevated standard of order and respect for laws and regulations guiding aberrant actions, what we have are citizens who will follow suit in disregarding each other’s fundamental human rights. The assault on Deji Adeyanju who led the Concerned Nigerians group on a... Read More

deji adeyanju, Federal Government of Nigeria, human rights, nigeria, omoyele sowere

December 30, 2018

This is one of many reasons Nigeria’s security architecture may need a complete overhaul

It began with a petition written against one Filis Arinze – which seems like a threat. The Special Task Force (STF), Jos, Plateau, have detained a businessman, Suleiman Mohammad Dikwa, alongside his lawyer, Felix Pukuma, after it was said that they had written a petition against Miss Filis Arinze. The arrest took place on December... Read More

human rights, soldiers

December 13, 2018

Does Nigeria have anything to celebrate on International Human Rights day?

December 10th is globally recognised as the International Human Rights Day. The day set aside by the United Nations general assembly in 1948 review the state of human rights across the world. Here in Nigeria, the day actually went unnoticed by several individuals except few in the civil societies and the media. This is unsurprising... Read More

human rights, nigeria, police

April 29, 2018

#YNaijaEssays: Laziness, rights, entitlement and privilege. This is how you create a #LazyNigerianYouth

The concept of human rights has its history in the creation of the United Nations. Following the devastation from the second world war, a war that involved more than 30 countries and lasted, six awful years (1939-1945), sovereign nations came together and vowed that they would not allow such unregulated use and abuse of power... Read More

Featured

Buhari, colonialism, human rights, Lazy Nigerian youth, Privilege

December 15, 2017

NGO Bill: The zero public support is all the Senate needs

by Alexander O. Onukwue Nigerians have absolutely no interest in the so-called NGO Bill and this is not according to a twitter poll by anti-elite hate-speech handle. The public hearing organized by the House to assess the merit of the bill turned out to be a fest of apathy and outpour of non perturbare. Groups... Read More

human rights, NGO Bill, nigeria, senate

December 15, 2017

The Thread: “They said ‘take off your hijab’. She said ‘Girl’s not hot'” | TwitterNG reacts to the Hijab outrage

Pushing for progress is fantastic; attacking injustice is necessary, but at what cost? Last night, a hashtag began to make the rounds on Twitter and sure enough garnered considerable support that someone had to ask: Why is Hijab trending? — Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) December 15, 2017 Here’s why: https://twitter.com/Busaayo/status/941359402614972417 Now we’re all for justice, and... Read More

Constitution, hijab, human rights, nigeria, The Thread

December 13, 2017

[The Sexuality Blog] If we dragged a gay or transgender person to Jesus for judgement today, what would Jesus do?

It is not often that we get someone as read Chude Jideonwo give an extensive, exhaustive examination of our attitudes to LGBT persons and the culture of bigotry and hatred that has grown around their existence. So when we received a transcript of his keynote address at the 2017 Human Rights, Sexuality and the Law... Read More

Chude Jideonwo, human rights, Key Note Address, Sexuality and the Law Symposium, The Sexuality Blog, ynaija

December 12, 2017

The Initiative for Equal Rights to hold third edition of Human Rights, Sexuality and The Law symposium

In commemoration of the International Day for Human Rights, The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in partnership with Y!YNaija.com, The Equality Hub and The Rustin Times, is set to host its annual symposium themed Human Rights, Sexuality and The Law. The conference will take place on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, with... Read More

The Sexuality Blog: Chude Jideonwo is headlining this year’s Human Rights, Sexuality and The Law Summit

The Human Rights, Sexuality and The Law Summit organized by The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERS) and the Equality Hub is slated to be the most important event this year for people committed to the fight for the recognition of the rights of LGBTIQ persons in Nigeria and by extension the rest of Africa. Since... Read More

human rights, sexuality, the Law, The Sexuality Blog, TIERs

October 18, 2017

Opinion: Is this what it takes for women to enforce their rights?

by Michael Ace I was traveling back to Ibadan on Thursday when something I would consider interesting but tense happened. We were about reaching Alakia when we got hooked up in a heavy traffic. Everybody was tired and stressed up so no one was ready to act Jesus for another. Everyone kept fighting for... Read More

human rights, nigeria, opinion, women

October 13, 2017

Opinion: Can our human rights come in handy this year?

by Nimi Princewill If you know your rights, you’re to blame for every human rights violation which you let slide right under your nose. If you aren’t aware of your rights, you’re slightly worse. People who are equipped with the knowledge of their rights but do not teach others, or calmly watch the rights of... Read More

human rights, nigeria, opinion

September 17, 2017

Opinion: Myanmar’s Muslim massacres- A case for religious minority groups everywhere

by Albert Afeso Akanbi Some sad news filtered in from Myanmar on August 25, 2017. Again we saw proof of people’s willingness, both law enforcers and breakers, to sink into the lowest depth in terms of cruelty to fellow human beings. An attack of over 24 security sites by what Myanmar’s government called a terrorist... Read More

Christianity, human rights, islam, Myanmar, Religious persecution, Rohingya

September 5, 2017

BREAKING: Court adjourns hearing on Evans’ human rights suit

The human rights suit filed by suspected kidnapper, Chukwudi Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans against the police has been adjourned till September 21. Vacation judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Lagos said there was no more urgency for the suit to be heard during the vacation. He added that the arraignment of Evans before the... Read More

The News Blog

Chukwudi Onwuamadike, court, evans, hearing, human rights, police, suit

August 29, 2017

Promoters of hate speech should be prosecuted – UN human rights experts

United Nations human rights experts have called for the prosecution of those behind the October 1 quit notice given to Igbos by the Northern youth. The Northern youth led by Arewa Consultative Forum, June 6 issued a quit notice to Igbos to vacate before or on October 1 – They have, however, withdrawn the quit... Read More

The News Blog

hate song, Hate Speech, human rights, United Nations

August 25, 2017

Why the APC is trying to criminalise hate speech – PDP

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) resolve to categorise hate speech as terrorism, saying it’s “another disguise to criminalize freedom of speech and association.” In a series of tweets, the opposition party cited Chapter IV (33) of the Constitution which protects freedom of speech and fundamental human rights... Read More

The News Blog

APC, Hate Speech, human rights, party politics, PDP

July 31, 2017

Opinion: This is what the ‘King of Witches’ has been doing with children

by Afeso Albert Akanbi I think it is time for the government to step in, not in words but through action, to study the issue of child abuse in detail, understand the systems of representations of specific beliefs, the actions and social mechanisms related to mob justice, religious operations and traditional institutions… In the first... Read More