- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✖ Imprisonment as punishment
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- Unknown
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
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Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Homosexual activity in Sokoto is illegal (death penalty as punishment).
Current status
Since Jan 31, 2001
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Sokoto on January 31st, 2001. It was the second Nigerian State to implement Sharia Law.
Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death. If the act is committed by a minor on an adult person the adult person shall be punished by way of ta'azir which may extend to 100 lashes and minor with correctional punishment.
Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death. If the act is committed by a minor on an adult person the adult person shall be punished by way of ta'azir which may extend to 100 lashes and minor with correctional punishment.
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960.
Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
Censorship of LGBT issues in Sokoto is imprisonment as punishment.
Current status
Imprisonment as punishment under federal Nigeria law
In addition to criminalizing homosexuality, Nigeria has enacted legislation that would make it illegal for heterosexual family members, allies and friends of LGBT people to be supportive. According to Nigerian law, a heterosexual ally "who administers, witnesses, abets or aids" any form of gender non-conforming and homosexual activity could receive a 10-year jail sentence.
Right to change legal gender in Sokoto is illegal.
Current status
Illegal under federal Nigeria law
Legally no way to change gender, crossdressing is illegal in 12 states in northern Nigeria.
Gender-affirming care in Sokoto is restricted.
Current status
Restricted under federal Nigeria law
In Nigeria, surgical procedures like orchiectomy, penectomy, phalloplasty and metoidioplasty are not available. Other gender-affirming care services such as laser hair removal, hormone therapy and trachea shave, are accessible in Nigeria, however are often too expensive for the people who need them.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Sokoto is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized under federal Nigeria law
You cannot legally identify as non-binary in Nigeria.
LGBT discrimination in Sokoto is no protections.
Current status
No protections under federal Nigeria law
Section 17(2)(a) in The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states "every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law." However, there are no explicit discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in Nigeria.
LGBT employment discrimination in Sokoto is no protections.
Current status
No protections under federal Nigeria law
Section 17(2)(a) in The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states "every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law." However, there are no explicit discrimination protections in regards to employment discrimination regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in Nigeria.
LGBT housing discrimination in Sokoto is no protections.
Current status
No protections under federal Nigeria law
Section 17(2)(a) in The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states "every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law." However, there are no explicit discrimination protections in regards to housing discrimination regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in Nigeria.
Same-sex adoption in Sokoto is single only.
Current status
Single only under federal Nigeria law
Information regarding same-sex individuals adopting children is very limited. According to the US Department of State, same-sex married couples are explicitly not allowed to adopt children in Nigeria. However, they do not mention anything about single gay people adopting children. According to Adoptive Families, single people may adopt a child of the same sex. Regarding same-sex adoption, they say that it is not expressly prohibited, but it is not clear where the government stands.
Intersex infant surgery in Sokoto is not banned.
Current status
Not banned under federal Nigeria law
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Nigeria.
Serving openly in military in Sokoto is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMs in Sokoto is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Conversion therapy in Sokoto is not banned.
Current status
Equal age of consent in Sokoto is n/a.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 1916
N/A under federal Nigeria law
Homosexuality is illegal, so there is no age of consent.
Legal Rights
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