BEYOND
FEAR
A study on the safety and insecurity of LGBTQI+ youth in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria — findings and recommendations from a mixed-methods study across 9 states.
Executive Summary
Overview of findings
This report sheds light on the safety and insecurity challenges facing LGBTQI+ youth in the Niger Delta — a region where living authentically often carries profound risks. Through candid voices and data, this report captures a landscape where threats come from within homes, communities, and public spaces, yet resilience and hope persist.
The study engaged over 500 respondents aged 18–37, spanning across the Niger Delta’s 9 states — Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers. This report adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and discussions, to ensure that both numbers and human stories shaped the findings.
Participants included gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer and intersex youth, reflecting the diversity within the community.
“You learn to expect it, even from family. You never really feel safe.”Young man, Niger Delta region
Findings from this study show why LGBTQI+-led organisations must continue leading community education and safe space initiatives, with dedicated funding and support for their vital work.
— Ameachi Gift, Executive Director, Equilibrium Initiative Nigeria (EIN)
Methodology
How the study was conducted
Quantitative Component
A structured questionnaire deployed via KoboToolbox gathered responses from 470 respondents across 9 Niger Delta states through snowball sampling from trusted community networks.
Qualitative Component
In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with LGBTQI+ youth, community organisers, social workers, and activists provided crucial context on lived experiences.
Ethical Considerations
Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Anonymity and confidentiality were carefully maintained throughout, with pseudonyms used where possible.
States covered across the Niger Delta:
Demographics
Who participated in the study
Age Distribution
Respondents aged 18–37 across 9 states (n=470)
Gender Identity
Current gender identity among respondents
Sexual Orientation
Description of sexual orientation among respondents
Orientation Among Trans Women
Intersection of gender identity and sexual orientation
Key Findings
Violence, harm, and insecurity
Physical Violence
Almost half of respondents experienced physical violence at least once. 21% faced it once, 14% sometimes, and 11% often.
Verbal Abuse
68% experienced verbal abuse and psychological harm, with 31% saying it happened sometimes and 15% often.
Sexual Violence
16% reported experiencing sexual violence once, 10% often, and 8% sometimes. A devastating 1% reported it as constant.
Police Abuse
100 respondents reported having negative experiences with police, including stop-and-search, arbitrary arrests, and extortion.
Trauma & Distress
169 respondents believed their experiences of safety and insecurity led to trauma or distress in their lives.
Avoidance of Spaces
Nearly 2 in 5 respondents avoid community centres. 37% avoid religious institutions. 22% avoid online platforms.
“We experience frequent police harassment, including stop-and-search, labeling as homosexuals, arbitrary arrests, and extortion.”FGD participants, Akwa Ibom
Physical Violence — Frequency of Experience
Number of respondents (n=470)
Verbal Abuse — Frequency of Experience
Number of respondents (n=470)
Sexual Violence — Frequency of Experience
Number of respondents (n=470)
Mental Health Impact
How much safety issues affected respondents’ mental health
Perceptions of Safety
Home, public, and digital spaces
Safety at home
How respondents described their sense of safety at home
Safety in public
Perceptions of safety in public spaces (n=470)
Spaces avoided due to insecurity
Respondents reported avoiding these spaces because of fear of harassment or violence
“We need to keep enlightening ourselves on the dangers we face. It’s not just about safe spaces — we also need to learn to cooperate, keep confidential matters private, and support each other better as a community.”FGD participant, Delta State
Support Networks
The fragility of care and community
Where respondents turn for support
An alarming 53 survey respondents (11%) said they had no one to turn to. This is a stark reminder that too many LGBTQI+ people are facing their fears alone. For some, friends are lifelines — for others, the absence of support can feel like a slow drowning.
Trauma & Distress
Did experiences of safety/insecurity lead to trauma? (n=470)
While 301 respondents (64%) did not report trauma, 169 respondents (36%) believed their experiences of safety and insecurity in the Niger Delta had led to trauma and distress in their lives.
Recommendations
Pathways to safety and change
Funders, Government & Policymakers
- Fund LGBTQI+-led organisations to scale up safe space initiatives and community education
- Reform discriminatory laws that enable violence and criminalise identity
- Establish legal protections against hate crimes targeting LGBTQI+ individuals
- Integrate LGBTQI+ safety in national youth security and wellbeing frameworks
Security & Law Enforcement Agencies
- Train police officers on LGBTQI+ rights and non-discriminatory practices
- Establish accountability mechanisms for officers who engage in harassment or extortion
- Create safe reporting channels for LGBTQI+ individuals experiencing abuse
- End stop-and-search practices targeting individuals based on perceived identity
Healthcare & Social Service Providers
- Provide culturally competent, affirming healthcare for LGBTQI+ youth
- Train healthcare workers to identify and respond to trauma related to identity-based violence
- Integrate mental health support into community health programmes
- Eliminate discriminatory practices in service delivery settings
LGBTQI+-Led Community Organisations
- Continue leading community education and safe space initiatives
- Build stronger peer support networks and digital safety literacy programmes
- Develop referral pathways connecting community members to legal and health services
- Advocate for the systematic documentation of violence to strengthen evidence base