Briefing on the Nigerian Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013

On 7 January 2014, Nigerian President Jonathan Goodluck signed his assent to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 (SSMPA). This briefing note shows how several elements of this legislation contravene Nigeria’s Constitution as well as its binding international obligations and also how such laws hinder the effectiveness of strategies and measures designed to contain the HIV epidemic.