Documenting African and Black queer experience across Nigeria and the diaspora
Overview
I am a Nigerian writer, social commentator, and community researcher based in London. For over a decade, I have examined African and Black queer life through cultural analysis, narrative documentation, and community-anchored research.
Over time, my work shifted from fiction to documentation. Today, I focus on how Black queer people navigate identity, masculinity, migration, safety, and visibility across Nigerian and diasporic contexts.
As a result, my work translates lived realities into public knowledge that remains grounded, verifiable, and accessible. I also produce public-facing sexual and mental health education for LGBTQ+ communities, with a focus on harm reduction and mental health literacy.
Lived Experience and Perspective
My work begins with lived experience.
Before relocating to the UK, I lived and worked in Nigeria. During this period, I navigated social and institutional environments where Black queer life often depends on silence, concealment, performance, and careful risk management.
Because of this, I write from participation rather than distance, analysing systems I have had to survive, not just observe.
After relocating to London around 2021, my work deepened into sustained documentation. London provides safety and analytical distance. However, ongoing ties to Nigeria ensure the work reflects current realities rather than memory or nostalgia.
As such, my perspective combines local knowledge with diasporic positioning. This duality allows me to document African and Black queer life with clarity, care, and accountability.
Research Methodology and Editorial Standards
I prioritise research over opinion.
Instead of isolated commentary, I use community-anchored inquiry to document how social dynamics unfold in real life. Each major article follows a defined editorial process.
How the research is conducted
Primary community data
I gather insights directly from LGBTQ+ individuals living in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. I moderate these discussions and anonymise all contributions.
Sustained inquiry periods
Each long-form piece involves at least seven days of active inquiry. During this time, I test questions, validate patterns, and cross-check claims.
Diaspora–local comparison
Where relevant, I compare local Nigerian experiences with those of Black queer migrants. This comparison highlights differences in safety, visibility, and cultural interpretation.
Ethical framing
I do not publish personal narratives without consent, anonymisation, and contextual safeguards. Education matters more than exposure.
In practice, this approach allows my work to function as a living archive rather than reaction-based commentary.
Public Education Focus
In addition to cultural documentation, I publish educational work on sexuality and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ audiences.
This work is non-clinical and public-facing. It focuses on harm reduction, mental health literacy, and informed decision-making. It does not replace medical care or therapy. Instead, it translates research and lived experience into accessible education, especially where formal support remains limited.
From Storytelling to Documentation
DNB Stories Africa began as a fiction-led platform. Storytelling still shapes how I structure ideas and communicate complexity.
However, as debates around African and Black queer rights, migration, elder care, and masculinity intensified, my work evolved.
Today, the focus is on documentation. I record emerging social patterns, preserve marginalised narratives, and translate informal community knowledge into public education.
In short, I no longer only tell stories.
I document social history as it unfolds.
Publications and Key Themes
My work includes long-form cultural analysis, community-led research essays, and documented social commentary. I publish primarily through DNB Stories Africa.
For context, this section links to two long-form publications that illustrate these themes in practice.
Key areas of focus
African and Black queer life and visibility
Documentation of how sexuality operates within Nigerian social, familial, and institutional settings, including criminalisation, secrecy, and performance.
Masculinity, desire, and social hierarchies
Analysis of masculinity as social capital among Black men, including the influence of colonialism, slavery, and respectability politics on queer desire — see The Impact of Slavery on Black Masculinity and Black Gay Desire.
Diaspora migration and identity translation
Comparative work on Black queer life before and after migration, with attention to visibility, safety, and cultural dissonance.
Community, silence, and informal knowledge systems
Research into how African queer communities share information, manage risk, and build support outside formal institutions.
Ageing, memory, and re-closeting
Ongoing work on Black queer ageing, elder care, and identity erasure across African and diasporic contexts — see Re-closeting of Black Gay Elders.
Together, these themes reflect a sustained commitment to documenting African and Black queer life with accuracy, care, and historical awareness.
Values and Safeguards
I approach sensitive topics with clear ethical boundaries. These include trauma-informed framing, strict anonymisation practices, harm-minimisation standards, and openness to correction.
When needed, I update published work to maintain accuracy and accountability.
Community, Dialogue, and Contact
I value education through dialogue.
Much of my research develops through conversation with readers and community members who trust this platform for serious, respectful engagement.
Website: DNB Stories Africa
Community: GITK by DNB (Telegram)
Media and partnerships: danielnkado@gmail.com
Location: London, United Kingdom