Nigeria has officially signed the controversial Samoa Agreement, sparking a storm of controversy. The signing ceremony took place at a reception for the European Union (EU) in Abuja on July 1, with Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu affirming Nigeria’s commitment to the agreement.
The initial agreement reached in Samoa on November 15, 2023, sparked controversy due to its potential impact on countries that rely heavily on financial aid. However, according to a statement by Bagudu’s media aide, Bolaji Adebiyi, the documents signed by the federal government focused solely on Nigeria’s economic development.
Adebiyi stressed that the agreement does not address LGBTQ issues or same-sex marriage, rejecting any suggestion that Nigeria has accepted these positions. Instead, he clarified that the agreement focuses on the $150 billion trade component.
Adebiyi further explained that the provisions cited in the agreement, namely 2.5 and 29.5, focus on gender equality and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes. He stressed that this was an agreement negotiated between 27 EU countries and 79 members of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and is subject to domestic laws.
Despite the controversy, Adebiyi revealed that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning held a stakeholder meeting in March in Abuja where concerns were raised by NGOs and religious groups. As Nigeria becomes the 73rd country to sign the agreement, its impact on the country’s economic development and stance on LGBTQ rights remains to be seen.
