The Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government with the European Union, has sparked controversy, with many criticising the Nigerian government for what they perceived to be recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights.
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In moving the resolution on Tuesday, Aliyu Madaki, a member of the House, called attention to the provision that emphasises “gender equality” and described it as a Trojan horse that may undermine the country’s morality. The House also directed its appropriate committees to study the agreement’s contentious provisions.
The Samoa pact elicited strong comments online, with many people opposing LGBT rights, which contradicts the anti-same-sex marriages and gay relationships law established by then-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, and Mohammed Idris, the minister of information, declared during the press conference on Saturday that Nigeria would not sign a deal that would be incompatible with the country’s diverse population’s religious and cultural sensibilities as well as the constitution.
According to Bagudu, among other important goals, Nigeria signed the agreement to promote inclusive economic development and food security. The parties anticipate being better prepared to handle new demands and global issues, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace, and security, with the new pact that replaced the Cotonou pact.
Nigeria signed the deal on June 28, 2024, but it was made public this week following a disclosure by Bagudu.
In a review of the Samoa Agreement following its signing last November, the European Parliament noted that the initial draft agreement contained the LGBT provision, but that member states “were reluctant to see the foundation agreement mention sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI rights)”. However, the parties struck an agreement to commit merely to the implementation of existing international agreements on the subject.
As a result, LGBT rights were removed from the final accord and substituted with “gender equality”. According to Article 2, Clause 5 of the final agreement, “the parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies”
