Two Nigerian siblings have gone viral after sharing their emotional story of leaving home for safety in the UK. In a short video posted on social media on Monday, the brother and sister introduced themselves and said: “We are both siblings from Nigeria and we now live in the UK. I am lesbian and he is gay. We both had to leave home to find safety.”
The siblings, Aisha Toriluwa Sumonu and her brother Umar Sumonu, explained they could no longer live freely in Nigeria because of their sexual orientation. They said they had to seek asylum in the UK to escape threats and build a new life in peace.
Nigeria has tough laws against same-sex relationships. The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act makes it illegal, and many people in the LGBTQ community face rejection, violence and fear every day.
Their video has spread quickly on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X. Many Nigerians have reacted with mixed feelings. Some praised the pair for speaking out, while others called it a sad sign of problems back home.
The story highlights the hard choices many LGBTQ Nigerians make. For Aisha and Umar, moving abroad was not easy, but they say it gave them the safety they needed.As more people share similar journeys, the video has sparked fresh talk about tolerance and human rights in Nigeria. The siblings hope their message will help others feel less alone.
