Nigerian gay siblings, Umar Sunmonu and Aishat Oreoluwa Sunmonu, have shared their emotional account of their relocation to the United Kingdom in search of safety through asylum.
Umar In the video posted on X, shared how hard it is hiding identity about their personal lives back in Nigeria. He described life as shaped by fear with an uncertain future as the driving force behind the relocation.
“We are both siblings from Nigeria and we now live in the UK. I am lesbian and he is gay. We both had to leave home to find safety”
“Back in Nigeria I was always exhausted from hiding who I am. I’m not going to lie to you. But over here in the UK, I’m trying to build a life for myself,” He revealed.
The siblings also highlighted the hard realities of the asylum process, describing it as mentally draining due to long waiting periods with uncertain outcomes. While Aishat confirmed successful acquisition of her own legal status. Umar is still in the process and remains hopeful.
“I also went through the asylum process and I know how stressful the waiting is. I’m really grateful I got my status. My brother stayed with me throughout all this, so I’m going to stay with him too until he makes his decision. I just want him to live in safety and not fear,” they stressed.
However, reactions online have been mixed. Some critics argue that the asylum process in the UK is far more complex than portrayed, noting that the UK doesn’t assign asylum anyhow but digs deep before legal status can be approved.
“They are lying , UK started investigation on people that request for asylum to stay in the UK.Gbam two of u come social media to introduce.” A user commented
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
