By: Kikelomo Alabi
Lagos, Nigeria – In a disturbing case that underscores the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria, Abiola Salami, a former employee of Spectrum Technology Company, has become a victim of workplace discrimination, public outing, and threats to her safety simply because of her sexual orientation.
Abiola’s ordeal began in August 2021 during a three-day product outreach program, where she developed a close emotional connection with a female colleague, Adebisi Ojo.
In a moment of vulnerability, Abiola confided her long-suppressed romantic feelings to Adebisi feelings she had hidden for years in a society where same-sex relationships are both criminalized and harshly condemned.
Rather than receiving understanding or empathy, her disclosure was reported to the company’s management.
According to an internal source, Abiola was subjected to an internal investigation, during which she admitted her feelings. Shortly afterward, she was dismissed from her role at the company under circumstances described as swift and lacking transparency.
The consequences of that dismissal spiralled quickly. Not only was her employment terminated, but her sexual orientation was also disclosed to her husband, who was living in South Africa at the time.
The revelation devastated their marriage. “He was heartbroken,” a close friend shared. “He couldn’t process the idea of being married to a bisexual woman. It broke them emotionally and spiritually.”
Worse still, her dismissal letter included veiled threats, suggesting that the matter could be escalated to the Nigerian authorities. Under the country’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, individuals involved in same-sex relationships or advocacy can face up to 14 years in prison.
“I lived in constant fear,” Abiola revealed during a private conversation. “Fear of arrest, fear of being attacked by mobs, fear of losing all my dignity I had nowhere to turn for safety.”
The situation further deteriorated when a local newspaper published a sensational article accusing her of “immoral conduct” within the company. The story publicly outed her, placing her in even greater danger and deepening her isolation.
Forced into hiding having received several texts of threat messages, Abiola became cut off from her family, community, and support systems. Her story is a painful reflection of the plight of many LGBTQ+ Nigerians who suffer in silence under a legal and cultural framework that criminalizes their very existence.
“This is more than workplace discrimination,” a human rights advocate stated. “It’s a matter of survival. The laws and prevailing attitudes in Nigeria are putting lives at risk.”
Abiola’s courage in speaking out highlights the urgent need for international protection and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals facing persecution in Nigeria.
Her voice, though shaken, is a powerful plea for safety, dignity, and the right to love without fear.
