The Nigerian parliament enacted the Same Sex (Prohibition Against Discrimination) Bill on May 30, 2013. This legislation made it illegal for individuals to enter into or recognize same-sex marriages in Nigeria, effectively outlawing LGBTQ+ rights across much of the country.
This move was met with international condemnation and internal resistance from Nigerian activists and human rights groups advocating for gay rights. The law's passage reflected wider societal tensions regarding cultural traditions versus modern legal protections, highlighting divisions within African nations about progressive legislation.
Less known is the immediate backlash against those who opposed the bill—activists faced increased threats and arrests under new anti-gay provisions, illustrating how such laws often serve to suppress dissent rather than merely codify traditional values.