The Nigerian government has pledged to invalidate any “same-sex” provisions associated with the Samoa Agreement, a deal signed with the European Union, EU Member States, and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States. This announcement came from Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation following widespread criticism regarding the deal’s human rights and gender equality aspects.
The Samoa Agreement, signed on November 15, 2023, emphasizes human rights, democracy, good governance, gender equality, and the rule of law. It replaced the Cotonou Agreement of 2000, which focused on peace, security, and enhancing trade relations through economic partnership agreements.
The European Union committed to investing at least €150 billion in Africa by 2027 under the “Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package” as part of the Samoa deal. This package includes significant projects, such as constructing the Rosso Bridge between Mauritania and Senegal and modernizing highways in Kenya.
Media Assistant to the Minister of Budget, Bolaji Adebiyi, reiterated that the agreement was strictly for economic development and did not include any provisions regarding same-sex marriage. He tweeted, “The documents signed by the federal government were strictly for the economic development of Nigeria. Nowhere in the documents were LGBT or same-sex marriage mentioned even remotely, and it would be wrong for anyone to imply that Nigeria had accepted those tendencies. What Bagudu signed was about a $150 billion trade component.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris clarified further, emphasizing that the agreement was signed in Nigeria’s economic interest. Before signing, Nigeria informed stakeholders that any part of the agreement promoting same-sex marriage would be invalidated, consistent with Nigeria’s laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.
Idris explained that the Samoa Agreement consists of 103 articles, including a common foundational compact and three regional protocols: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU, each addressing specific regional issues. He assured that Nigeria’s endorsement included a Statement of Declaration, dated June 26, 2024, clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws would be invalid.
“Nigeria signed the agreement on June 28, 2024, after extensive reviews and consultations by the Interministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Justice. It was ensured that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contradicts the 1999 Constitution as amended or the laws of Nigeria, and other extant Laws,” Idris stated.
He further assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, being rule-based, would not enter into any international agreement detrimental to the country’s interests. Idris emphasized that the Samoa Agreement is a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, aimed at promoting sustainable development, combating climate change, generating investment opportunities, and fostering collaboration among OACPS Member States on the international stage.
Despite multiple economic partnerships with various countries and international organizations, the Samoa deal has faced significant opposition within Nigeria.
