The Federal Government has confirmed the signing of the Samoa Agreement, emphasizing that Nigeria’s law on same-sex marriage supersedes any clauses within the agreement.
The Samoa Agreement, which contains provisions encouraging underdeveloped and developing nations to support LGBT rights in exchange for financial and other support from advanced societies, has sparked significant controversy. Many countries with strong Islamic and Christian values, as well as culturally sensitive societies, have opposed the agreement.
In response to the criticism from clerics and human rights activists, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris issued a statement on Thursday night to clarify the government’s position.
“On 28 June 2024, Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. The partnership agreement is between the EU and its Member States, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other,” Idris stated.
He explained that negotiations on the agreement began in 2018 during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, and it was signed in Apia, Samoa, on November 15, 2018, by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.
“The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa-EU; Caribbean-EU; and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols, each addressing the peculiar issues of the regions,” he continued.
The African Regional Protocol, in particular, focuses on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, human and social development, environmental and climate change issues, peace and security, human rights, governance, and migration.
“Nigeria signed the Agreement on Friday 28 June 2024 after extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ). It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria, and other extant Laws,” Idris assured.
He further clarified, “Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the Agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid. It is instructive to note that there is existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.”
Reassuring Nigerians, Idris emphasized, “The President Bola Tinubu Administration, being a rule-based government, will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens. In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.”
He concluded by stating, “The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States on the international stage.”
This statement aims to provide clarity and assurance regarding Nigeria’s stance on the Samoa Agreement and its commitment to uphold national laws and values.