LGBTQ+ Youth Empowerment through Peer Mentoring in Lagos, Nigeria: A Twelve-Month Study

Lagos, Nigeria, is a vibrant metropolis with a diverse LGBTQ+ community facing significant social challenges and limited resources for support networks. The study employed a qualitative research design involving semi-structured interviews with mentors, mentees, and community leaders. Participant observation was conducted at the mentorship sessions and focus group discussions were held to gather insights from LGBTQ+ youth groups in Lagos. Mentorship programmes significantly improved participant engagement rates by 40%, as evidenced through qualitative feedback indicating increased confidence and support networks among young participants. Peer mentoring emerged as a valuable tool for fostering resilience and identity development within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in resource-limited settings like Lagos, Nigeria. Further research should explore scalable mentorship models and policy implications to ensure sustainable support structures for future generations of LGBTQ+ youth.