The Nigerian government has responded to widespread criticism of the Samoa Agreement, a $150bn deal with the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, assured that the agreement aligns with Nigeria’s best interests and does not violate the constitution or existing laws, including the ban on same-sex marriage.
Idris emphasized that the agreement does not promote same-sex relationships, citing the 2014 legislation that criminalizes such activities in Nigeria.
According to Ripples Nigeri, the government’s defense of the agreement seeks to balance international cooperation with domestic sensitivities, aiming to foster sustainable development, climate action, and investment opportunities while maintaining public trust.
The controversy surrounding the Samoa Agreement continues, with the government’s stance under scrutiny by the Nigerian public and the international community.
He said, “It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same-sex relationships in Nigeria enacted in 2014.
“It is necessary to assure Nigerians that 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.
“In negotiating the Agreement, our officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the EU and the OACPS for the process.
“The Samoa Agreement is nothing but a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union, to promote sustainable development, fight climate change and its effects, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among the OACPS member states at the international stage.”
