A Cross River State native, Ifere Jacob Isaac, has applied for asylum in Canada, claiming he cannot safely return to Nigeria because of alleged persecution linked to his sexual orientation.
Isaac, who hails from Ezono Village in Ediba Community, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, said he arrived in Canada on May 22, 2023, on a student visa to study E-Business Administration at the Canadian Career Education College in Vaughan.
According to him, financial difficulties forced him to suspend his studies after his sponsor allegedly withdrew support.
In his account, Isaac said he realized he was bisexual while in secondary school and later had relationships with both men and women. He claimed that one of his same-sex relationships was exposed in 2014 after a relative allegedly discovered him with his partner and secretly kept photographs of the encounter.
He said the situation worsened in 2023 after another former partner was allegedly exposed in Nigeria and mentioned his name. According to Isaac, the earlier photographs were shown to members of his family, prompting his uncle to withdraw financial sponsorship for his education in Canada.
Isaac further alleged that his relatives threatened to report him to law enforcement authorities and that police officers later visited his family home and former residence in search of him. He also claimed that a former employer declined to provide financial assistance after learning about his sexual orientation.
The asylum seeker said he fears returning to Nigeria because he believes he could face persecution from both his family and state authorities due to laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.
“I cannot return to Nigeria. My sexual orientation has put me in danger. There are threats from my family and from the police. I fear for my life and my safety if I am forced to go back,” he said.
Isaac explained that he originally travelled to Canada with the intention of completing his studies and building a better future before returning home. However, he said the loss of financial support and his fear of persecution have left him unable to continue his education or safely return to Nigeria.
He is now seeking refugee protection and asylum in Canada, arguing that returning to Nigeria would place his life and safety at risk.
His claims have not been independently verified, and Canadian immigration authorities will determine his asylum application based on the evidence presented and applicable refugee protection laws.
