Obioma Chukwuike

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Obioma Chukwuike
Obioma Chukwuike 2025.png
Obioma Chukwuike in 2025
NationalityNigerian
Education Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology
Occupation Human rights activist
OrganisationIntersex Nigeria
Known forIntersex rights advocacy in Nigeria

Obioma Chukwuike is a Nigerian intersex and non-binary human rights activist and community organiser. [1] [2] They are the founder and executive director of Intersex Nigeria, the country's first organisation dedicated to advancing the rights, visibility, and wellbeing of intersex people. [3] Chukwuike is known for advocating against non-consensual medical interventions, promoting bodily autonomy, and pushing for the inclusion of intersex persons in national health and policy frameworks. [4] [5]

Contents

Education

Chukwuike graduated from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology with a bachelor's degree in Geography and Meteorology in 2013, and obtained a Master of Science in Environmental Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. [6]

Activism and Career

Chukwuike leads Intersex Nigeria, a national organisation that promotes awareness, community-building, policy advocacy, and access to healthcare for intersex people. [1] [4] [7] [8]

In 2023, they led Intersex Nigeria's participation in the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Pre-Session, marking the first time intersex rights were formally addressed at that level by a Nigerian organisation. [9]

Chukwuike has spoken extensively on the invisibility of intersex people in national sexual and reproductive health policies, legal and political exclusion, and the continued social marginalisation and non-consensual medical interventions of intersex children and adults in Nigeria. [5] [7] [8] [10] [11]

Advocacy and Public Positions

Chukwuike argues that binary conceptions of sex have resulted in systemic discrimination, exclusion from healthcare systems, and violations of the bodily autonomy of intersex persons in Nigeria. They continue to call for:

Personal life

Chukwuike identifies as an intersex and non-binary person, using the pronouns they/them. [2] Their lived experience informs their advocacy, recognising that intersex persons in Nigeria face unique medical, social, and legal challenges, including stigma, secrecy, non-consensual surgical interventions, and lack of legal recognition. [11] [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Big victory for intersex people and their rights". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. United Nations. April 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Stories of Feminist Mobilisation: How to Advance Feminist Movement Worldwide". Heinrich Böll Foundation. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "25 November 2019 — Founding of Intersex Nigeria". Trans & Intersex History Africa. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2025. Intersex Nigeria was founded by Obioma Chukwuike in response to the critical need for dedicated support, advocacy and visibility for intersex persons in Nigeria.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Anyone can be Born Intersex: A Photo-Portrait Story by Intersex-Nigeria". Intersex Greece. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Meet: Intersex Nigeria". Mama Cash. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Obioma Chukwuike". European Lesbian Conference. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Government urged to stop discrimination against intersex people". BusinessDay. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Embracing the Realities of Sex Development: Challenges and Achievements of Intersex Activism in Nigeria". Outright International. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Statement at the UPR Pre-Session on the Human Rights Situation of LGBTQI Persons in Nigeria" (PDF). UPR Info. November 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Intersex Community Demands Urgent Reform In Healthcare System". AIT LIVE. April 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Intersex community seeks inclusion, tasks FG on recognition, protection of rights". Vanguard Nigeria. November 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
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