The Nigerian government has clarified its position on the Samoa Agreement, asserting that the recently signed deal does not support same-sex marriage. This clarification came after widespread controversy and concern about the agreement’s implications.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that the Samoa Agreement, signed in June, is “a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union.”
He explained that the agreement aims to promote sustainable development, combat climate change, generate investment opportunities, and foster international collaboration among OACPS Member States.
“Nigeria has existing legislation against same-sex relationships,” Idris emphasized.
He reassured that the Samoa Agreement does not invalidate any Nigerian laws. “Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated 26th June 2024, clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws shall be invalid.”
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The Samoa Agreement, signed by Nigeria on June 28, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium, involves a partnership between the EU and its Member States and the OACPS. Negotiations for the agreement began in 2018 during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, and it was initially signed in Apia, Samoa, on November 15, 2018, by 27 EU Member States and 47 OACPS Member States.
The agreement includes “103 articles divided into a foundational compact and three regional protocols: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU. Each regional protocol addresses specific issues relevant to the regions.
“The African Regional Protocol, for example, covers areas such as sustainable economic growth, human and social development, climate change, peace and security, human rights, and migration.”
Idris assured Nigerians that the agreement was thoroughly reviewed to ensure it did not contravene Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution or other laws.
“Our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS during the negotiation process,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s interests, stating, “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.”