Navigating hostility: digital and social strategies among young men who have sex with men in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men face a challenging socio-legal environment characterised by criminal laws and moral restrictions, which impact their health, identity, and sense of belonging. Findings from this study of young men who have sex with men illustrate how they navigate such restrictions through both digital and social means. Reflexive thematic analysis grounded in queer theory and social identity theory was used to analyse data from in-depth interviews with 30 men who have sex with men aged 18 to 29 from five southern states, complemented by non-participant observation. Findings highlight the pivotal role of digital platforms in managing visibility, developing peer support, and sustaining community ties. Offline social spaces proved vital for reinforcing shared identity and offering emotional and material support. Socioeconomic challenges and erotic capital influenced participation and resource access within social networks. Rather than understanding all men who have sex with men in Nigeria as powerless and vulnerable, the study emphasises their active role in negotiating sex, sexuality, health and survival in a restrictive social context. Findings deepen understanding of how digital engagement and community solidarity can bolster health and well-being in a deeply conservative environment.