Nigeria Denies Signing Samoa Agreement Amid LGBTQ Concerns

The Federal Government has debunked claims of its signing to the recent treaty by Nigeria and members of States of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
In a statement issued on Thursday by Francisca Omayuli, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said Nigeria was not present nor represented at the signing ceremony, which took place in Samoa, a caribbean nation on Wednesday.
“The general public is invited to note that Nigeria was not represented at the Signing Ceremony, which took place in Samoa on Wednesday, 15th November, 2023 and hence has not signed the Agreement,” Ms Omayuli said.
The government issued the disclaimer in response to allegations that Nigeria participated in the signing of a treaty known as the Samoa Agreement, between the Member States of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
The Samoa Agreement, covers six (6) key priority areas of Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; Peace and Security; Human and Social Development; Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth; and Development, Migration and Mobility.
The Agreement supersedes and replaces the Cotonou Agreement (2000), which in turn was preceded by several other agreements aimed at bolstering relations between the OACPS and EU.
Some Civil Society groups in Nigeria have described Nigeria participation as a subtle introduction of LGBTQ campaign in Nigeria.
Many have also called in President Bola Tinubu not to sign an agreement with the European Union that allows for the decriminalisation of LGBTG in Nigeria.
The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to divers pronouncements and publications on the implication of Nigeria signing the New Partnership Agreement, known as the Samoa Agreement, between the Member States of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
The Samoa Agreement, covers six (6) key priority areas of Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; Peace and Security; Human and Social Development; Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth; and Development, Migration and Mobility.
The Agreement supersedes and replaces the Cotonou Agreement (2000), which in turn was preceded by several other agreements aimed at bolstering relations between the OACPS and EU.
The general public is invited to note that Nigeria was not represented at the Signing Ceremony, which took place in Samoa on Wednesday, 15th November, 2023 and hence has not signed the Agreement.
In reaction, the ministry said some relevant bodies are currently reviewing the instrument of the treaty in view of ensuring that the provisions does not contravances Nigeria’s law.
“Relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently studying the Instrument with a view to ensuring that its provisions do not contravene Nigeria’s domestic legislation.
The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill signed into law on January 7, 2014, by President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria imposes a 14-year prison sentence on anyone who “[enters] into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union,” and a 10-year sentence on individuals or groups, including religious leaders, who “witness, abet, and aid the solemnization of a same-sex marriage or union.”
It imposes a 10-year prison sentence on those who “directly or indirectly make [a] public show of [a] same-sex amorous relationship” and anyone who “registers, operates, or participates in gay clubs, societies, and organizations,” including supporters of those groups.

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The Nigerian Federal Government has refuted claims suggesting the country’s involvement in a recent treaty signed by members of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU). In a statement released by Francisca Omayuli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government clarified that Nigeria did not attend nor had any representation at the signing ceremony in Samoa, held on November 15, 2023. Ms. Omayuli emphasized that Nigeria’s absence at the event conclusively means the country did not sign the agreement.

This rebuttal from the government follows allegations asserting Nigeria’s participation in the Samoa Agreement, which encompasses six critical priority areas: Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance; Peace and Security; Human and Social Development; Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth; and Development, Migration, and Mobility. The Samoa Agreement replaces the former Cotonou Agreement (2000) and represents a step towards strengthening ties between the OACPS and EU.

However, amidst these developments, certain Civil Society groups within Nigeria have expressed concerns, suggesting that Nigeria’s involvement could introduce a covert LGBTQ campaign. There have been appeals directed at President Bola Tinubu, urging caution and advising against signing any agreement with the EU that might potentially lead to the decriminalization of LGBTQ rights in Nigeria.

The government, in response to these concerns, highlighted that relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently scrutinizing the treaty’s provisions to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s domestic legislation. This scrutiny is vital considering Nigeria’s existing laws, notably the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act signed into law on January 7, 2014. This law mandates severe penalties, including 14 years’ imprisonment for involvement in same-sex marriage contracts or civil unions, 10 years for facilitating such unions, and 10 years for public displays of same-sex relationships or affiliations with related groups or organizations.

The government’s stance underscores a thorough review of the treaty’s content to ensure compliance with existing Nigerian laws and values, particularly concerning issues related to LGBTQ rights and relationships.