Pride in Lagos is an annual LGBTQ pride festival held during the last week of June in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] Founded in 2021 by QueerCity Media under the leadership of Olaide Kayode Timileyin,[2] it serves as a platform for visibility, community building, advocacy, and celebration in a highly restrictive legal and social context.[3]
The event has drawn hundreds of queer people each year and has been held consecutively since 2021. The 2022 festival marked Nigeria's first publicly recognised, week-long Pride celebration.[4]
In Nigeria, same-sex relationships, public displays of affection between same-sex persons, and LGBTQ+ organisations are criminalised under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014, which carries penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment.[5] Despite pervasive stigma, an underground queer culture has persisted in Lagos, including inclusive spaces within fashion, digital communities, and ballroom scenes.[6]
History
Pride in Lagos debuted in June 2021 as a series of discreet events like panels, film screenings, and workshops to foster solidarity and community, marking one of the few structured pride events in Nigeria to date.[7]
From 20–26 June 2022, the festival hosted art exhibitions, panel discussions, a runway show, and a concluding drag and ballroom ball. Organisers described it as "the first of its kind" in terms of reach and impact.[8] It featured prominent queer figures like Aja Kween and Bisi Alimi, along with performer Temmie Ovwasa.[9][10]
By mid-2023, the event had gained increased visibility, with larger public participation, greater representation of queer creatives, and acknowledgment of the underground ballroom community.[11]
In June 2024, the festival included a high-profile ballroom “neo‑goth” ball in memory of the late Fola Francis,[11] Nigeria’s first openly transgender runway model, who died in December 2023.[12][13] That year also introduced the Equality Summit & Awards, featuring panels on community safety, economic empowerment, and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.
Panel Session at the 2025 Pride in Lagos
The 2025 edition continued the annual tradition with a ballroom ball held on 27 June 2025. It also hosted the Equality Summit with Bisi Alimi as the keynote speaker.[14]
Programming
Typical events during Pride in Lagos include:
Symposia and panel discussions on queer rights, community safety, mental health, and empowerment.[15]
Art exhibitions, film screenings, and creative workshops showcasing Nigerian queer talent.
Ballroom and drag events such as “The Grand Masquerade Ball”, with Afro‑surrealist themes and vogue-style performances.[16][17]
Awards ceremonies and networking sessions to elevate organisations and allies working for LGBTQ+ inclusion.[18][19]
Safety and security
Given Nigeria’s legal constraints, the festival is often held in private or semi-private venues, announced shortly in advance. Organisers implement security measures such as background checks and no-photography policies for attendee protection.[10]
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