…As Father dies in an auto accident while trying to flee angry mob
A Nigerian man, Olajide E. Pelumi, has sought refuge in Canada, citing grave danger to his life and the tragic events that led him to flee his home country. Olajide E. Pelumi narrowly escaped death on several occasions as he faced violent persecution due to his sexual orientation. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 15, 1991, he was forced to leave Nigeria after enduring years of harassment, violence, and threats due to his bisexuality, which is criminalized in the country under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014.
In a heartfelt appeal, Pelumi explained that he had lived most of his life in secret, fearful of the consequences of revealing his sexual orientation in a society where being gay or bisexual is not only frowned upon but punishable by law. However, in 2022, his life took a devastating turn when he confided in his younger brother about his sexuality, only for the information to be betrayed to a church member. That member subsequently disclosed Pelumi’s bisexuality to the head pastor of the church, setting off a chain of events that would alter his life forever.
After the revelation of his sexual orientation, Pelumi faced unrelenting persecution. He was subjected to verbal abuse, physical assaults, and public shaming. His father, who had always supported him despite the societal stigma, was removed from the committee of elders at their church. Pelumi’s mother, meanwhile, was ostracised and eventually stopped attending church services due to the constant sermons that indirectly condemned their family.
In December 2023, matters escalated further when their family home was attacked by a group of men. The mob believed that Pelumi’s bisexuality had brought shame to their community, and they destroyed his home, forcing his family to flee. Despite reporting the attack to the police, Pelumi said the authorities showed little interest in investigating the incident, instead focusing on prosecuting him for his sexual orientation.
In an effort to protect him, Pelumi’s father arranged for him to study abroad, hoping that Canada would offer him a safer, more accepting environment. While waiting for his student visa, Pelumi went into hiding, moving between various cities in Nigeria to avoid detection by the police and other hostile groups. But tragedy struck just as Pelumi arrived in Canada as an international student in June 2024. His family, trying to escape further threats from a mob searching for Pelumi, was involved in a fatal car accident. His father tragically passed away in the accident, while his mother and younger brother survived but were left devastated by the loss.
Pelumi described the loss of his father as particularly devastating, as his father had been his strongest protector and advocate. With the death of his father, Pelumi now faces not only emotional trauma but also financial instability, making it impossible for him to continue his education without his father’s support.
Now, alone in Canada, Pelumi is left to rebuild his life amidst the trauma of what he has endured. He says that his only hope for a future free from fear is to be granted refuge in Canada, where he can live openly as a bisexual man, something that is impossible in Nigeria.
“Since arriving in Canada, I have tried to rebuild my life, but the trauma of what I experienced in Nigeria still haunts me,” Pelumi wrote in his application. “I live in constant fear of being forced to return to a country where I would face persecution, violence, and possibly death simply because of who I am.”
He emphasised the harsh realities LGBTQ+ individuals face in Nigeria, where societal hostility and lack of legal protection make it impossible for people like him to live without fear. “Canada represents my only hope for living free from fear and persecution,” Pelumi said.
Pelumi is now seeking refuge in Canada, hoping that the country will offer him the safety and freedom he desperately needs. “I cannot return to Nigeria, where my very existence is considered a crime, and where my life would be in constant danger,” he concluded.
His request, now in the hands of Canadian authorities, serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals around the world, particularly in countries like Nigeria where sexual orientation is criminalised, and individuals are subjected to violence and persecution simply for being who they are.
Pelumi’s story highlights the urgent need for protection and support for those fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation, and his appeal represents the hope of finding a place where he can live openly and without fear.