Nigeria’s Samoa Agreement: Unpacking the LGBTQ Controversy, by Umar Farouk Bala

Nigeria’s Samoa Agreement: Unpacking the LGBTQ Controversy
By Umar Farouk Bala

Nigeria’s recent signing of the Samoa Agreement has sparked intense debate, with some critics alleging that the treaty promotes LGBTQ+ rights and compromises Nigeria’s sovereignty. Critiques aimed at the Federal Government express concerns about how Nigeria’s cultural and religious beliefs have been jettisoned in favor of monetary gains from the West. However, a closer examination of the agreement reveals that these claims are unfounded.

The Samoa Agreement is based on six key priorities: human rights, democracy and governance; peace and security; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility.

Some groups and individuals have claimed that the agreement contains “hidden” provisions that promote LGBTQ+ rights and lifestyles. They argue that Nigeria’s signing of the agreement would undermine the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws; promotes “western values”; contradict cultural and religious values in Nigeria and compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty.

A thorough analysis of the agreement reveals no provisions related to LGBTQ+ rights or lifestyles. It is worth mentioning that the country of Samoa which the Treaty is named after, and also a signatory to the agreement, constitutionally prohibits same sex marriage.

The treaty’s focus is exclusively on humanitarian matters, such as: sustainable Development Goals and multilateralism; human rights, democracy and governance; peace and security and
human and social development.

Similarly, it focuses on inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change as well as migration and mobility.

The controversy stems from the misinterpretation of two different sections of the Agreement, namely Article 2.5 and 29.5. The former  reads “The Parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies”. Gender is clearly mentioned, however  there is no reference to sexual orientation.

Article 29.5 reads “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”. Again, there is no mention of sexual orientation, same sex marriage, or any pro-LGBTQ+ agenda which reports have alleged to be present in the document.

No mention of LGBTQ+ issues or human rights is made in the agreement. The claims of LGBTQ+ elements are unfounded and appear to be driven by misinformation and misconceptions.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has maintained that the agreement is strictly focused on matters concerning human development, and does not compromise the country’s sovereignty or values. In a statement issued by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of information and national orientation, he said “None of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravenes the 1999 Constitution as amended or the laws of Nigeria and other extant Laws.”

It is believed that the Samoa Agreement initially contained pro-LGBTQ+ elements in early drafts of the document during the negotiation stage, but disagreement by Member States led the EU to scrap those mandates in the final document.

The controversy surrounding Nigeria’s signing of the Samoa Agreement highlights the need for accurate information and nuanced understanding. The agreement’s focus on tax matters and does not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty or values. It is essential to separate facts from fiction and avoid spreading misinformation.

Nigeria’s signing of the agreement does not require changes to its domestic laws or policies on same-sex marriage or any other social issue. Therefore, the implementation of the agreement will not impact Nigeria’s sovereignty over its social policies.

Umar Farouk Bala, a Student of International Relations, Nile University Abuja
[email protected]