The Nigerian government’s decision to sign a $150 billion Samoa Deal has sparked controversy over claims of a clause promoting LGBTQ rights. Reports suggest that the agreement includes requirements for underdeveloped and developing nations to support LGBTQ rights to receive financial and other forms of aid from advanced countries.
Signed on November 15, 2023, in Samoa, the deal is facing opposition from many countries with strong Islamic and Christian values. News of Nigeria’s involvement emerged on Monday, July 1, when Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, confirmed the deal at a European Union (EU) reception in Abuja.
However, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, clarified on Wednesday that the documents Bagudu referenced at the EU reception were focused strictly on economic development and did not mention LGBTQ or same-sex marriage. Adebiyi emphasized that Bagudu signed an agreement related to a $150 billion trade component, not LGBTQ issues.
Speaking on the controversy, Kamarudeen Ogundele, spokesman for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, said he needed more information and did not provide further details.
Clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have expressed outrage over the deal. Lagos-based lawyer and chairman of the Human and Constitutional Rights Committee of the African Bar Association (AfBA), Sonnie Ekwowusi, criticized the Samoa Agreement, calling it “nauseating” and questioning the judgment of Nigerian officials.
In response to the growing debates around LGBTQ issues in Nigeria, the government provided details about their agreement with Samoa. The agreement aims to promote understanding and respect for LGBTQ individuals, focusing on creating a more inclusive environment and ensuring the protection of LGBTQ rights. The government stressed that the agreement does not change Nigeria’s laws but seeks to foster better relations and mutual respect, addressing discrimination and promoting equality for all citizens.
The Samoa Agreement, signed on November 15, 2018, in Apia, Samoa, by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states, consists of 103 articles and includes three regional protocols: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU. Each protocol addresses specific regional issues, including sustainable economic growth, human rights, democracy, and governance.
The Tinubu government stated that the signing followed extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, ensuring none of the 103 articles contradict Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution or existing laws. Nigeria’s endorsement of the agreement included a declaration clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws would be invalid. The government emphasized that Nigeria has existing legislation against same-sex relationships, enacted in 2014.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, reassured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration will not enter into any international agreement detrimental to the country and its citizens. He noted that the Samoa Agreement is crucial for promoting sustainable development, combating climate change, generating investment opportunities, and fostering international collaboration.
