ISSN 2348-3156 (Print) International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (45-55), Month: April - June 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com Page | 45 Research Publish Journals THE DIALECTICS OF THE DISCOURSE ON HOMOSEXUALITY IN NIGERIA 1 Dr. Chinonye Faith Chinedu-Okeke, 2 Dr. Ijeoma Obi 1 (for Correspondence), Department of Mass Communication Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria 2 Department of Mass Communication Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Nigeria Abstract: Homosexuality is a relationship that allows any two consenting individuals of the same biological sex to form an intimate relationship. The issue of homosexuality is a controversial discourse in all the countries of the world including Nigeria. Thus, this study aims at ascertaining the debates of the discourses on homosexuality in Nigeria. The study was anchored on Richard Troiden’s Ideal-typical model of gay/homosexual identity acquisition. The model was adopted to explain and describe the development of homosexual identity formation as taking place against the backdrop of a stigma, which heavily influences identity development and personal adjustment. A systematic review method was adopted for this study. This method was considered the most appropriate research approach in gathering information about scholars’ line of arguments on this controversial issue of homosexuality in Nigeria. The study unveiled that homosexual is to a greater extent not culturally, politically, legally, religiously and socially acceptable in Nigeria because Nigerians perceived the act to be a taboo, animalistic, inhumane, sin and illegal. The study also discovered that many homosexuals are still in the closets due to the strong cultural aversion towards the practice, although some are gradually coming out of their closet to assert what they perceive to be their constitutional rights. Based on the research findings, this study therefore recommends full enforcement in criminalizing homosexuality in Nigeria. Keywords: Dialectic, Discourse, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Nigeria. 1. INTRODUCTION The homosexuality debate is a controversial issue that has attracted the concern of various countries all over the world (Okey, Eyoboka & Ojeme, 2014; Obidinma & Obidinma, 2013). As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to people of the same sex‖ (Lamanna, Riedmann, & Stewart, 2014). In the last decade, several Western countries have greatly enhanced the rights of sexual minorities in their societies. Same-sex relationship/marriage is now legal in most states in the United States, while about twenty three countries in Europe presently allow same-sex marriage or some form of civil partnership. However, Africa on the other hand is witnessing a rise in the number of countries further criminalizing sexual minorities and homophobia is rising across the continent. Thus, 38 countries out of 76 countries in the world that sees homosexuality as illegal are in Africa and in 4 out of these 38 countries, homosexuality is punishable by death including Nigeria (Obasola, 2013; Pflanz, 2014). However, despite the protest raised against the practice, homosexuality has gradually become a reality, acceptably within the legal framework of many countries including Nigeria. What can be said of Nigeria or Africa where traditional religion still holds sway? How does a typical Nigerian view homosexuality? Amidst this debate of the morality of homosexuality, what should be the response of a typical Nigerian? Consequently, the thrust of this study is to investigate the debates of the discourse on homosexuality in Nigeria. Significance of the Study There is no doubt that the issue of homosexuality has elicited deep and often extreme reactions in Nigeria. Many see the phenomenon as un-Nigerian and against Nigerian social and religious heritage. This controversy has attracted the attention of various scholars (Onuche, 2013; Umukoro, 2009; Igwe, 2009; Mensah, 2010; Cassandra,