The Nigerian government has responded to concerns over its recent signing of the Samoa Agreement, a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris issued a statement on Thursday addressing reports that the agreement could compel signatories to support LGBT rights.
Minister Idris emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would not enter into any international agreement detrimental to Nigeria’s interests.
He clarified that Nigeria’s endorsement on June 28, 2024, was accompanied by a declaration stating that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian law would be invalid.
The minister pointed out that Nigeria has existing legislation against same-sex relationships, enacted in 2014, which remains in effect.
He assured citizens that the government strictly followed mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and OACPS during negotiations.
The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific island where it was initially signed in 2018, has faced opposition from countries with strong Islamic and Christian values. It contains 103 articles covering various areas of cooperation, including economic growth, human rights, and climate change.
Idris explained that the agreement was thoroughly reviewed by an interministerial committee involving the Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Foreign Affairs, and Justice. The committee ensured that no articles contravened the Nigerian Constitution or existing laws.
The minister described the Samoa Agreement as a “vital legal framework” for cooperation between OACPS and the EU, aimed at promoting sustainable development, combating climate change, and fostering investment opportunities.
As debate continues over the implications of the agreement, the Nigerian government maintains its stance that national interests and values will be protected while engaging in international partnerships.
