In a poignant plea for safety and acceptance, Olajide E. Pelumi, a 33-year-old bisexual man from Ibadan, Nigeria, seeks asylum in Canada, citing life-threatening persecution based on his sexual orientation. Born on July 15, 1991, Pelumi’s journey has been fraught with violence, betrayal, and unimaginable loss, making his quest for refuge a desperate one.

As a bisexual man, he has faced severe persecution in Nigeria, where homosexuality is illegal and heavily penalized. His request for asylum stems from his harrowing experiences of violence, threats, and the loss of his father, all of which began when his sexuality was made public.

Early Life and Struggles with Identity

Raised in a traditional, religious family, Pelumi knew from a young age that he was more attracted to boys than girls. However, in Nigeria’s conservative and religious climate, acknowledging one’s bisexuality is fraught with danger. The 2014 Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act criminalizes homosexual relationships, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison.

Despite years of concealing his sexual orientation, Pelumi’s struggle with self-acceptance became unbearable. In 2022, he confided in his younger brother, trusting him with the secret of his bisexuality. However, this trust was broken when his brother disclosed the information to a church member, setting off a chain of events that led to Pelumi’s exposure. The church member informed the head pastor, and soon, the news spread through the community.

A Family Under Siege

After Pelumi’s sexual orientation became public knowledge, his life and the lives of his family members were thrown into turmoil. His father, once a respected elder in their church, was removed from his position, shamed by the church leadership. Pelumi’s mother, too, could no longer attend church due to the pastor’s veiled condemnations of her family, which only heightened the ostracism they faced.

Pelumi himself was subjected to physical violence, verbal abuse, and constant harassment. Beaten on several occasions, he now bears a permanent scar on his left knee from one such attack. His family became targets of hatred, with neighbors and church members blaming his bisexuality for bringing shame upon their community.

The persecution reached a devastating peak on December 15, 2023, when a group of men attacked their family home in Ibadan, Though Pelumi’s family narrowly escaped, their belongings were destroyed. When they reported the attack to the police, the authorities were more interested in prosecuting Pelumi for his bisexuality than in apprehending those responsible for the attack. Threats continued, forcing the family to flee their community.

A Tragic Loss

Fearing for his son’s safety, Pelumi’s father arranged for him to leave Nigeria and study in Canada. As Pelumi awaited his study visa, he went into hiding within Nigeria, moving from city to city to avoid arrest. In June 2024, just days after Pelumi arrived in Canada, tragedy struck. His family, once again under threat, attempted to flee from attackers. In the chaos, they were involved in a fatal car accident, killing Pelumi’s father. His mother and younger brother survived but were forced into hiding.

The death of his father left Pelumi devastated. His father had been his most ardent supporter, and without him, Pelumi lost not only his protector but also his primary financial support for his education. The trauma of this loss, coupled with his ongoing fear for his own safety, has made returning to Nigeria an unthinkable option.

Seeking Safety and Asylum

Since arriving in Canada, Pelumi has been trying to rebuild his life, but the scars of his experiences remain. He lives in constant fear that he could be forced to return to Nigeria, where he would likely face further persecution, imprisonment, or worse. The hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria is deeply ingrained, both in the legal system and in society, leaving Pelumi with little hope of a safe return.

Pelumi’s asylum request is based on the severe persecution he faced in Nigeria due to his sexual orientation. He has lost his father, his family is in hiding, and he has been declared a wanted man by Nigerian authorities. Canada represents his only chance at living openly and without fear of violence or death.

“I have lost everything because of who I am,” Pelumi said. “I just want to live in peace, without fear, and to have a future where I can be free.”

Conclusion

Olajide Pelumi’s story is one of survival in the face of relentless persecution. As he seeks asylum in Canada, he hopes for a life where his sexual orientation will not put his life at risk. His plea for asylum is not only for personal safety but for the chance to live openly as his true self, free from the fear of violence, imprisonment, or death.