Olumide Makanjuola
{{Short description|Nigerian sexual and human right activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Olumide Makanjuola
| other_names =
| birth_name = Olumide Femi Makanjuola
| birth_date = 7 June
| birth_place = Lagos
| nationality = Nigerian
| alma_mater = Ogun State Institute of Technology, Anglia Ruskin University
| occupation = Human rights activist, storyteller, social entrepreneur
| years_active =
| known_for = Human rights activism, LGBTIQ advocacy, social justice and storytelling
| title = Human rights activist
| children =
| website = [https://olumidemakanjuola.com/ Olumide Makanjuola]
}}
Olumide Makanjuola (born June 7) is a Nigerian human rights activist,{{Cite web|date=2020-07-13|title=The Nigeria Prize for Difference and Diversity Announces Judges and Advisory Council|url=https://brittlepaper.com/2020/07/the-nigeria-prize-for-difference-and-diversity-announces-judges-and-advisory-council/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Brittle Paper|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195420/https://brittlepaper.com/2020/07/the-nigeria-prize-for-difference-and-diversity-announces-judges-and-advisory-council/|url-status=live}} storyteller,{{Cite web|title=Olumide Makanjuola Archives|url=https://therustintimes.com/tag/olumide-makanjuola/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Rustin Times|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195539/https://therustintimes.com/tag/olumide-makanjuola/|url-status=live}} LGBTQI advocate,{{Cite web|title=Olumide Makanjuola|url=https://guardian.ng/contributors/olumide-makanjuola/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195932/https://guardian.ng/contributors/olumide-makanjuola/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2019-06-02|title='Business must think beyond profit and start to focus on people'|url=https://businessday.ng/enterpreneur/article/business-must-think-beyond-profit-and-start-to-focus-on-people/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Businessday NG|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201133/https://businessday.ng/enterpreneur/article/business-must-think-beyond-profit-and-start-to-focus-on-people/|url-status=live}} and social entrepreneur. He was the executive director for The Initiative For Equal Rights (TIERS){{Cite web|date=2019-06-10|title=Meet Olumide Makanjuola, a Nigerian activist fighting for women and LGBTI rights|url=https://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/olumide-makanjuola-a-nigerian-activist-shares-his-views-on-women-and-lgbti-rights-in/kt6qrfx|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221138/https://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/olumide-makanjuola-a-nigerian-activist-shares-his-views-on-women-and-lgbti-rights-in/kt6qrfx|url-status=live}} and presently the program director for Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO), a regional activist-led organization supporting an inclusive society free from violence and injustice through funding to local organisations.{{Cite web|date=2019-03-01|title=ISDAO is excited to announce the appointment of our first Director of Programs: Olumide Makanjuola.|url=https://www.isdao.org/isdao-is-excited-to-announce-the-appointment-of-our-first-director-of-programs-olumide-makanjuola/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=ISDAO|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708103745/https://www.isdao.org/isdao-is-excited-to-announce-the-appointment-of-our-first-director-of-programs-olumide-makanjuola/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-11|title=Don't do good things just for accolades –Olumide Makanjuola|url=https://punchng.com/dont-do-good-things-just-for-accolades-olumide-makanjuola/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Punch Newspapers|language=en-US}}
In 2016, Makanjuola received a Queen's Young Leader Award for his work within the LGBTI+ community{{Cite web|title=Olumide Femi Makanjuola|url=https://www.queensyoungleaders.com/awardee/olumide-femi-makanjuola/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627083446/https://www.queensyoungleaders.com/awardee/olumide-femi-makanjuola/|archive-date=27 June 2020|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Queen's Young Leaders|language=en}} and was the 2012 Future Awards nominee in the Best Use of Advocacy category.{{Cite web|title=Nominees|url=https://awards.yafri.ca/nominees/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Future Awards Africa|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195235/https://awards.yafri.ca/nominees/|url-status=live}} Makanjuola's work has contributed immensely to the advancement of LGBTIQ rights in Nigeria. He is considered a pioneer of many initiatives, and has contributed to shifting public discussion around LGBTQI rights and issues.{{Cite web|last=BellaNaija.com|date=2017-12-14|title=The Initiative for Equal Rights held its Annual Symposium themed Human Rights, Sexuality & The Law|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/12/the-initiative-for-equal-rights/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=BellaNaija|language=en-US}}
Education
Makanjuola is a graduate of business management from the Ogun state Institute of Technology, and also studied Strategic Project management at Anglia Ruskin University. He holds an introduction project management certificate from City University London.{{Cite web|last=Emeka|first=Mazi|date=2016-05-30|title=How Olumide Makanjuola is carrying the cross for LGBTs in Nigeria » YNaija|url=https://naija.yafri.ca/standing-tide-olumide-makanjuola-making-world-safer-lgbts/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=YNaija|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626000942/https://naija.yafri.ca/standing-tide-olumide-makanjuola-making-world-safer-lgbts/|url-status=live}}
Activism
Makanjuola co-produced a documentary on what it means to be gay in Nigeria in 2014 just after President Goodluck Jonathan signed the same sex marriage prohibition act into law.{{Cite web|date=2016-06-19|title=TIERs Nigeria set to launch Nigeria's first discussion series on sexual rights|url=https://www.pulse.ng/gist/untold-facts-tiers-nigeria-set-to-launch-nigerias-first-discussion-series-on-sexual/fgd0bnf|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626003955/https://www.pulse.ng/gist/untold-facts-tiers-nigeria-set-to-launch-nigerias-first-discussion-series-on-sexual/fgd0bnf|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Onuah|first=Felix|date=2014-01-13|title=Nigerian president signs anti-gay bill into law|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/nigeria-gay-idUSL6N0KN2PP20140113|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626000943/https://www.reuters.com/article/nigeria-gay-idUSL6N0KN2PP20140113|url-status=live}} Makanjuola also co-produced Veil of Silence, Hell or High Water, Everything in Between, We Don't Live Here Anymore{{Cite web|title=Xeenarh Mohammed Executive Director The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs), Olumide Makanjuola, Executive Producer We Don't Live Here Anymore Premiere {{!}} Encomium Magazine|url=https://encomium.ng/first-photos-uti-nwachukwu-shade-ladipo-ashionye-raccah-others-turn-out-for-the-premiere-of-we-dont-live-here-anymore/xeenarh-mohammed-executive-director-the-initiative-for-equal-rights-tiers-olumide-makanjuola-executive-producer-we-dont-live-here-anymore-premiere/|access-date=2021-06-25|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626000944/https://encomium.ng/first-photos-uti-nwachukwu-shade-ladipo-ashionye-raccah-others-turn-out-for-the-premiere-of-we-dont-live-here-anymore/xeenarh-mohammed-executive-director-the-initiative-for-equal-rights-tiers-olumide-makanjuola-executive-producer-we-dont-live-here-anymore-premiere/|url-status=live}} and Walking with Shadows,{{Cite web|last=News|first=The Next Edition|date=2019-11-16|title=Funmi Iyanda, Olumide Makanjuola, Kunle Afolayan, Others, Witness 'Walking With Shadows' Premiere (See photos)|url=https://www.nextedition.com.ng/funmi-iyanda-olumide-makanjuola-kunle-afolayan-others-witness-walking-with-shadows-premiere-see-photos|access-date=2021-06-25|website=The Next Edition|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127113511/https://www.nextedition.com.ng/funmi-iyanda-olumide-makanjuola-kunle-afolayan-others-witness-walking-with-shadows-premiere-see-photos|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=Walking with Shadows (2019) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt9043456/fullcredits|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708103743/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9043456/fullcredits|url-status=live}} adapted from Jude Dibia's 2006 book.{{Cite web|title=Walking With Shadows|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/2293688-walking-with-shadows|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.goodreads.com|archive-date=2021-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708103746/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2287481.Walking_With_Shadows|url-status=live}}
Makanjuola joined The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in October 2006 as a community volunteer and one of the founding members, and grew in rank to become its executive director in September 2012, serving until March 2018 when he stepped down.{{Cite web|last=TIERsadmin|date=2019-02-06|title=2018 in Review – What We Were Up To|url=https://theinitiativeforequalrights.org/2018-in-review/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=TIERS|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626003950/https://theinitiativeforequalrights.org/2018-in-review/|url-status=live}} He has served as an independent expert to the European Asylum Support Office and as a board member at The Equality Hub, a queer women-led organization.{{Cite web|title=Staff|url=https://www.isdao.org/staff/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=ISDAO|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629224553/https://www.isdao.org/staff/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2017-02-21|title='The exorcism was over in 15 minutes but nothing changed' - LGBT life in Nigeria|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/feb/21/from-exorcism-to-acceptance-lgbt-life-in-nigeria|access-date=2021-06-26|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629050447/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/feb/21/from-exorcism-to-acceptance-lgbt-life-in-nigeria|url-status=live}} He has served as the executive vice-chairman of The Future Project since 2015.{{Cite web|title=Olumide Makanjuola|url=https://thefutureafrica.com/staff/olumide-makanjuola/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=The Future Project|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626000944/https://thefutureafrica.com/staff/olumide-makanjuola/|url-status=live}} In March 2019, he became the program director for [https://isdao.org/en/staff/ Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO)], a West African philanthropic fund that is working to ensure a just and inclusive West Africa free from violence and discrimination;{{Cite web|date=2019-09-14|title=ISDAO is excited to announce the appointment of our first Director of Communications & Knwoledge Management: Stéphane Simporé|url=https://www.isdao.org/isdao-is-excited-to-announce-the-appointment-of-our-first-director-of-communications-knwoledge-management-stephane-simpore/|access-date=2021-06-26|website=ISDAO|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708103756/https://www.isdao.org/isdao-is-excited-to-announce-the-appointment-of-our-first-director-of-communications-knwoledge-management-stephane-simpore/|url-status=live}} and he still works there.
Awards and recognition
- 2012, Future Award nominee in the Best Use of Advocacy category
- 2016, YNaija PowerList for Advocacy{{Cite web|last=Esene|first=Isime|date=2016-08-03|title=Seun Onigbinde, Yasmin Belo-Osagie, Olumide Makanjuola… See the #YNaijaPowerList2016 for Advocacy » YNaija|url=https://naija.yafri.ca/seun-onigbinde-yasmin-belo-osagie-olumide-makanjuola-see-ynaijapowerlist2016-advocacy/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=YNaija|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001007/https://naija.yafri.ca/seun-onigbinde-yasmin-belo-osagie-olumide-makanjuola-see-ynaijapowerlist2016-advocacy/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2018-01-03|title=Chimamanda Adichie, Banky W, Toke Ibru, others make YNaija inaugural #Woke100 List|url=https://naija.yafri.ca/chimamanda-adichie-banky-w-toke-ibru-others-make-ynaija-inaugural-woke100-list/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-26|website=YNaija|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626001643/https://naija.yafri.ca/chimamanda-adichie-banky-w-toke-ibru-others-make-ynaija-inaugural-woke100-list/}}
- 2016, Queen's Young Leader Award[https://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/olumide-makanjuola-a-nigerian-activist-shares-his-views-on-women-and-lgbti-rights-in/kt6qrfx olumide-makanjuola-a-nigerian-activist-shares-his-view]
References
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Category:21st-century Nigerian LGBTQ people
Category:Alumni of Anglia Ruskin University
Category:Alumni of City, University of London