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Kito (slang)

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Full article adapted from Wikipedia revision 1378541721 by Wikipedia contributors. Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting has been adapted; article text and references are retained. Snapshot imported 2026-10-09.
Nigeria LGBTQ slang

Kito is a slang term used in Nigeria to refer to the act of extorting money or other valuables from gay men by threatening to expose or out them to their families, friends, or community.[1] It is a form of homophobic violence that is often used to control and intimidate gay men.[2]

History

The term kito is thought to have originated in the Hausa language of northern Nigeria. It is believed to be a contraction of the words "ka sha kunya" which means "you should be ashamed".

In 2014, the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act was passed, which criminalizes same-sex marriage and other forms of same-sex intimacy.[3] However, this law has been criticized for being discriminatory and for exposing gay people to violence.[4]

In a 2018 survey by the Human Rights Watch, 73% of gay men in Nigeria said they had been threatened with kito. 31% said they had actually been extorted money or other valuables.[5]

In a 2026 survey conducted by the Bisi Alimi Foundation, 45.9% of respondents reported experiencing Kito violence. The survey highlighted provisions of Nigeria's criminal law on violence against persons to argue against the phenomenon.[6]

Effects

Kito is often carried out by gangs of young men.[7] The gangs will often target gay men in public places,[8] such as parks or bars. They may follow the victim and then confront them, threatening to expose them if they do not pay up.[9]

Kito can have a devastating impact on the victims. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also make it difficult for victims to come out to their families and friends, or to access essential services such as healthcare.

In 2018, the Nigerian police launched a campaign against kito.[10] The campaign included public awareness raising and training for police officers on how to handle cases of kito.[11]

In 2026, the Improved Sexual Health and Rights Advocacy Initiative (ISHRAI), a sexual minority and gender-diverse organisation, launched a campaign in collaboration with AmplifyChange[12] to address the rising incidence of Kito violence in South-West Nigeria.[13]

Controversy

In 2026, a Big Brother Naija housemate, Yusuf, said in a conversation with another housemate that when he was in debt, he downloaded a gay dating app to set up gay men and rob them.[14] LGBTIQ+ activists, including Bisi Alimi, took to social media to call him out and demand his arrest over his admission of committing Kito.[15]

Kito Cases in Nigeria

References

  1. ^ "What is kito?". Kito Diaries. 22 December 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023.
  2. ^ Desmond, Vincent (28 May 2020). "What it means to be kitoed". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  3. ^ "SAME SEX MARRIAGE (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2014". Law Nigeria.
  4. ^ Olaoye, Shade Mary-Ann (26 April 2021). "The #RepealSSMPA protest got people talking. But what's next?". Sahelien. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  5. ^ Isaack, Wendy (20 October 2016). ""Tell Me Where I Can Be Safe"". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  6. ^ Nwokoro, Silver (2026-07-23). "Group condemns rising attacks on LGBTIQ+ community in Nigeria". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
  7. ^ De Barros, Luiz (28 October 2025). "Nigeria: Queer Man's Brutal Murder Highlights Rampant "Kito" Crisis". Mamba Online. Johannesburg. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  8. ^ Kazeem, Tiléwa (30 April 2026). "Queer Nigerian men are outing their attackers online – and themselves". openDemocracy. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  9. ^ Kupemba, Danai Nesta (15 May 2023). "Homophobic gangs in Nigeria rob and torture queer people in dating app attacks". PinkNews. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  10. ^ Nigeria LGBT: The moment the police catch a 'kito' (video). BBC News. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  11. ^ Ononose, Joshua (1 August 2022). "Are Nigerians just finding out about "Kito"?". YNaija. Retrieved 1 May 2026.[self-published source]
  12. ^ "A fund to break the silence on SRHR". AmplifyChange. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
  13. ^ hpnadmin (2026-05-14). "When Silence Becomes a Crisis: Stakeholders Unite to Confront Rising Kito Violence Across South-West Nigeria". HeapNews. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
  14. ^ "Bisi Alimi Calls For Arrest Of BBNaija Housemate Over Alleged 'Kito' Admission". 2026-09-08. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  15. ^ Wonah, Israel. ""I Downloaded Gay Apps When I Was in Debt" – BBNaija Yusuf Opens Up About Struggles". trendybeatz.com. Retrieved 2026-09-09.
  16. ^ Muia, Wycliffe (9 August 2024). "Nigerian transgender TikToker found dead". BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  17. ^ Precious, Chiamaka (25 October 2025). "Port Harcourt homophobic attack kills young man, community mourns". Valid Updates. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  18. ^ Omotere, Samuel (2026-04-24). "Madonna varsity says student's death not linked to bullying". The Punch. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
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