Explainer: Has Tinubu's Govt Legalised LGBTQ in Nigeria by Signing $150bn Samoa Deal?
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy
FCT, Abuja—The signing of the $150 bn Samoa Agreement by President Bola Ahmed-led federal government has generated many heated arguments and reactions from Nigerians.
Nigerians have expressed concern about the country being forced to legalise LGBTQ and same-sex relationships.
Source: Twitter
This article explains what the agreement entails, what Nigeria stands to benefit from, and more.
What is the Samoa Agreement?
The Samoa Agreement is a vital legal framework that connects the European Union (EU) with 79 countries. These countries collectively form the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS)
The agreement addresses essential topics such as democracy, human rights, sustainable economic growth, climate change, social development, peace, security, migration, and mobility.
Did Nigeria sign the Samoa agreement?
The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria signed the Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, June 28.
Idris announced this in a statement shared via the ministry’s handle (formerly known as Twitter), @FMINONigeria.
Nigeria signed the agreement 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 the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ).
The Nigerian government said 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.
Are Nigerian laws subject to the Samoa Agreement?
The government has also clarified that any provision inconsistent with Nigeria’s laws shall be invalid.
This was disclosed in a statement on June 26, 2024, following Nigeria’s endorsement of the agreement.
It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.
Does the Samoa Agreement mention LGBTQ+?
TheCable reported that Articles 2.5 and 29.5 of the agreement were subject to controversy after Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, confirmed the signing of the contract.
Article 2.5 states that:
“The Parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.”
Article 10 explains that gender equality refers to equal treatment among boys, girls, men and women in terms of “access to equal opportunities in, equal control and full and equal participation in, all spheres of life.”
It did not make mention of transgender terms or LGBTQ in its explanation.
Article 29.5 states that:
“The Parties shall support universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.”
Speaking on the defence of the agreement, Bolaji Adebiyi, Bagudu’s spokesperson, said:
“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.”
What benefits does Nigeria get from the Samoa agreement?
Nigeria will enjoy access to capital, expertise, and development aid from the EU, as well as advanced cooperation in various sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The agreement could also unlock new trade opportunities and market access for Nigerian exports, thereby fostering economic growth and diversification.
Tinubu denies plan to legalise LGBTQ rights.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the federal government had denied the report that Tinubu was planning to introduce LGBT rights into the country.
Clarifying the rumour clauses in the Samoa Agreement, the presidency said Nigeria law superseded the agreement.
The government assured that President Tinubu would not sign any agreement that would contradict the interest of Nigerians.
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Source: Legit.ng
