Starting tomorrow, the Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in partnership with the University of Lagos, will host the first-ever conference on diversity, inclusivity and equality in Nigeria.

The conference will bring together academics, policymakers, and activists to address the various issues affecting sexual minorities in the country.

The conference is based on the broad concept of inclusion in the context of commitment to education for all and equitable access to health care irrespective of disability, gender, socio-economic class, sexuality or other factors that reinforce marginalization, with a view to influencing Nigeria’s attainment of five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will present new knowledge from across various academic disciplines within Nigeria, as well as presentations from businesses and civil society organizations.

Also, as part of the conference, TIERs will host a breakout session addressing issues of minorities and the social environment. It will present new research on attitudes to sexual minorities, as well as new research on the experiences of sexual minorities in Nigeria from a variety of practitioners across academic as well as policy institutions. The session will be followed by a round table discussion chaired by Arit Okpo, host of “Untold Facts.” The panel discussion will aim to draw out a conversation around the impact of discrimination on sexual minorities and the wider society, and consider what needs to be achieved to widen acceptance of sexual minorities in Nigeria in the context of broadening knowledge and understanding.

The conference is taking place on Sept. 12-13 at the Sickle Cell Foundation location near the UNILAG campus, on Ishaga Road, Off Ojuelegba, in Lagos. For more information or to register, click HERE.

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