The academic futures of two students in Nigeria have been abruptly cut short after their university expelled them over an alleged same-sex relationship. The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), located in Kogi State in the country's central region, took the severe step, citing its own student handbook as justification.
The expelled students were pursuing degrees in Biology Education and Mining Engineering. Beyond this, the university has provided no further details about the individuals or the specific circumstances that led to their removal. It remains unclear if the students will face legal action in a country with some of the world's most draconian anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
A Climate of Fear: Nigeria's Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
This expulsion does not happen in a vacuum. It is a direct consequence of the hostile environment fostered by Nigeria's Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA), signed into law in 2014. While the name focuses on marriage, the law's reach is far broader and has had a devastating impact on the country's queer community.
The act effectively criminalizes all aspects of LGBTQ+ life, creating a legal framework for discrimination. Key provisions of the law include:
- A prison sentence of up to 14 years for entering into a same-sex marriage or civil union.
- A 10-year prison sentence for anyone who "registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations" or who directly or indirectly makes a "public show of same-sex amorous relationship".
- Penalties for anyone who witnesses or aids a same-sex union.
Human rights organizations have consistently condemned the SSMPA, pointing to a sharp increase in violence, extortion, and arbitrary arrests of LGBTQ+ individuals since its passage. A report by Human Rights Watch noted the law "officially authorizes abuses," effectively giving a green light to both state and non-state actors to target queer people with impunity.
