PROGRAMS
Obodo works at the intersection of art, human rights, and community care to support queer lives in Nigeria. Through artist grants and residencies, exhibitions, workshops, research, and community care initiatives, our programs create space for creative expression, shared knowledge, and access to critical resources. Together, they respond to both the cultural and material realities of queer communities, building connection, visibility, and collective support.
OBODO ARTIST FUND (OAF)
The Obodo Artist Fund (OAF) is a year-long funding and capacity-building initiative supporting artists and cultural producers interrogating issues of class, visibility, access, and power within African art ecosystems through a queer lens. Rooted in expansive and decolonial artistic practice, OAF encourages bold, radical ways of engaging with art, history, and community.
OBODO INTERNATIONAL ARTIST RESIDENCY
The Obodo International Artist Residency (Obodo Oma), invites applications from Black diaspora artists to collaborate with Nigerian artists, focusing on the intersection of arts and human rights and how the former can be leveraged in dealing with societal norms and prejudices while advocating for LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria and beyond.
HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FUND
The Human Rights Film Fund by Obodo is dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices and supporting narratives that advocate for the basic rights and freedoms that all humans are entitled to, regardless of their ethnicity, sex, nationality, religion, or any other status. We encourage submissions employing diverse storytelling approaches, including documentaries, personal stories, animated films, and experimental projects, as long as they effectively convey human rights narratives and inspire empathy, understanding, and action.
ARTIST RESIDENCY & SAFE HOUSING
A fully funded residency for local and diasporic queer artists to develop community-centred work. Safe housing options are provided for participating artists in need of secure, affirming spaces to create and live.
DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS & OUTREACH
We design bold, affirming digital campaigns to amplify queer stories and disrupt harmful narratives,especially for offline communities who lack internet access. These campaigns extend into physical community outreach and public activations.
LEGAL & ADVOCACY
Obodo’s Advocacy & Legal work is focused on protecting queer lives, expanding access to justice, and challenging systems that enable discrimination and violence. We work at the intersection of community care, legal empowerment, and public advocacy to ensure LGBTQ+ people are informed, supported, and not alone when navigating hostile legal and social environments.
OBODO BOOK DONATION DRIVE
The Obodo International Artist Residency (Obodo Oma), invites applications from Black diaspora artists to collaborate with Nigerian artists, focusing on the intersection of arts and human rights and how the former can be leveraged in dealing with societal norms and prejudices while advocating for LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria and beyond.
