I am an Igbo man from Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, who is gay and not ashamed of who I am. Because of this, I live at the intersection of many stories, some painful, some powerful, all deeply human. It’s a space of contradiction, legacy, resistance, and deep pride. I’m not just from a place; I am of it. And every step I take in my queerness is both an act of remembrance and rebellion.
Growing up Igbo means being raised in a culture rooted in proverbs, resilience, family honour, and expectations. Many traditions have been around for a long time. Some examples are masquerades, market days, and community pride. Being a queer person teaches you early on to read between the lines and determine what should be kept private and what is safe to say. It’s in the same place that you learn to be very resourceful. In addition, you acquire the ability to confront contradictions and develop your strength.
Being gay and Igbo has forced me to accept aspects of myself that others have said cannot coexist, but I am living evidence that I don’t fit the binary narratives of Nigerian respectability or African masculinity. I won’t follow the script that tells me I have to pick between my heritage and my truth. I’m proud to have both.
Being queer doesn’t make me less Igbo. This makes my connection to it stronger. I understand our ancestral stories differently. When I honour our traditions, I do so in ways that are open and not closed off. What I wear, the perfumes I spray, and the people I eat with give me joy.
It counts to be from Njikoka. Why? Because being seen is important. There are young queer people in Abagana, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nimo, and other places who need to know they’re not alone. Who needs to see someone like them succeeding rather than just getting by? Who doesn’t need to see queerness as a break from tradition but as a valid part of it?
Because so many things can be true at once, I am Igbo and gay in a beautiful and radical way. I carry being Igbo, gay, from Njikoka and African with me in the way I walk, talk, and act, whether I’m soft or strong. I hope to make room for others to do the same as I go through the world posting my photos, telling my stories, and being fully present.
This is why it’s critical, not just for me, but for everyone who is brave enough to be seen.
