Nigerian Interfaith Group Demands Closure of German Cultural Centre Over LGBTQ Content

The Nigerian Inter-faith Network has demanded the immediate closure of the Goethe Institute in Lagos, citing violations of Nigeria’s laws on same-sex relationships.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the group’s convener, Barrister George Nwadike, called on the federal government to address what he described as the “consistent moral degradation of Nigeria’s socio-cultural and religious values” by the Goethe Institute.

The controversy centers around two films, “Everything Will Be Fine” by Angelina Maccarone and “No Hard Feelings” by Faraz Shariat, screened as part of the institute’s community outreach series. According to Nwadike, these films feature “heavy LGBTQ themes” that contradict Nigerian legislation, particularly the Same Sex Prohibition Act of 2013, which imposes severe penalties, including a potential 10-year prison sentence, for those involved in or promoting gay-related activities.

Nwadike argued that by screening these films, the Goethe Institute was not only violating Nigerian law but also disrespecting the religious and cultural norms of its host country. He warned that the institute’s activities could potentially ignite civil unrest if swift action was not taken, suggesting that the institute’s programs could cause “disaffection and a breakdown of law and order” across the nation due to the sensitivity surrounding LGBTQ issues in Nigeria.