Cultural and societal norms have long been established to set boundaries on human behavior. With careful consideration, people often act in ways that are accepted by society in order to avoid rejection.
The Nigerian Nollywood industry is not left out . Over the years, several movies have been produced to explore societal stigma and internalized homophobia. Here are five Nigerian queer movies that explore coming out, societal stigma, and internalized homophobia
1. Delivery Guy (2025)
Delivery Guy is a two-part YouTube Web series directed by Gbolohan Gaffar, starring Peter Abang and Tennyson Jesse. The movie tells the story of two young men who fall in love unexpectedly, and they are torn between accepting such love. Different from the regular Boy Love story, The Lead Characters explore emotional honesty and the fight against Societal Stigma and Internalized Homophobia.
2. Boys like Us (2025)
Boys Like Us is a YouTube Web series created by Kamisi Adebisi and directed by Abiodun Usom, It stars Kem Ajieh, Ikechukwu, Oscar Chihurumanya, Bobby Okoye, Leopatrick Nnubia, and Dozie Uzoma. The movie portrays the story of 4 male queer friends faced with the stereotypes and Community expectations about how men’s lives should be: Grow up, take up a job, and get married.
3. All the Colours of the world are between Black and White (2023)
The movie was directed by Babatunde Apalowo, Starred; Tope Tedela, Riyo David, Martha Ehinome and Uchechika Elumelu. All the colors of the world are between Black and White tells the story of two men who met in Lagos during a Photography Competition, Who explore the city together and fell in love, but couldn’t express their love due to Societal norms about Homosexuality. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and it won the Teddy Award for LGBTQ-themed feature film. The movie is available to stream on YouTube, Max Europe.
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4. Ìfẹ́ (2020)
Ife was written and directed by LGBTQ advocate and filmmaker Pamela Adie, directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Itim. The movie starred Uzoamaka Power and Cindy Amadi. Ife tells the story of two female lovers who fell in love over a 3-day date. The movie highlights the trouble they experienced in relation to how society frowned on homosexuality. The movie is known as the first full-fledged Lesbian film in Nigeria. Ife is available on EHTV Network and MUBI.
5. Walking with Shadows (2019)
Walking with Shadows is a Funmi Iyanda’s movie adaptation of Jude Dibia’s 2025 novel, starred Zainab Balogun, Ayoola Ayoola, Ade Laoye, Wale Ojo, Ozzy Agu, Adunni Ade. The Movie follows the story of a gay man who has come to terms with accepting who he is, torn between choosing his family or accepting a life of Possible rejection and loneliness. It premiered at the Africa International Film Festival (ARIFF) at Film house Cinema, Obidi Lagos. It is available to stream on Prime Video.
