“Controversy Surrounds Nigeria’s Reported $150 Billion Deal with Samoa, Including LGBTQ Promotion Clause”
Controversy has erupted in Nigeria following allegations that the federal government signed a $150 billion agreement with Samoa, which reportedly includes clauses promoting LGBTQ rights. The Samoa Deal, inked on November 15, 2023, has sparked outrage among clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across the country.
The agreement, named after the Pacific Island nation where it was finalized, mandates underdeveloped and developing nations to endorse LGBTQ rights to receive financial and other support from developed countries. This stipulation has encountered resistance from nations, particularly those upholding Islamic and Christian values that prioritize cultural norms over Western influences.
The Nigerian government’s involvement in this contentious agreement came to light when Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, confirmed its ratification during a European Union reception in Abuja on July 1. However, Bagudu’s media assistant, Bolaji Adebiyi, later clarified that the signed documents pertained solely to economic cooperation and did not mention LGBTQ issues or same-sex marriage.
Critics such as Sonnie Ekwowusi, a Lagos-based lawyer and chairman of the Human and Constitutional Rights Committee of the African Bar Association (AfBA), condemned the agreement. Ekwowusi described it as “nauseating” and questioned the comprehension and judgment of Nigerian officials who endorsed it. He argued that the agreement threatens Nigeria’s sovereignty and undermines democratic principles by imposing foreign values that contradict local beliefs.
Moreover, Ekwowusi pointed out that Nigeria initially resisted signing the Samoa Agreement in November 2023, alongside 34 other African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations. Despite this initial refusal, pressure from the European Union ensued, with threats issued to non-compliant countries.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) reiterated its steadfast opposition to LGBTQ rights, affirming that such provisions defy Islamic teachings and disrespect Nigeria’s sovereignty. Similarly, Abdulrazaq Ajani, the Ameer of the Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF), emphasized African civil society organizations’ rejection of the agreement and their efforts to engage Nigerian lawmakers to oppose its implementation.
On the legislative front, Rabiu Yusuf, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, confirmed that the Samoa Agreement has not been presented to the National Assembly for deliberation, suggesting a potential bypass of parliamentary scrutiny in its adoption process.
The controversy surrounding the Samoa Deal mirrors previous tensions between Nigeria and Western nations over LGBTQ rights. In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a bill criminalizing same-sex relationships, which drew criticism from Western countries but was supported domestically.
As reactions intensify both domestically and internationally, the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to clarify its stance on the Samoa Agreement. Critics argue that the agreement compromises national sovereignty and imposes foreign values, while supporters may view it as a necessary step towards international cooperation and economic development.
The unfolding saga underscores broader debates over cultural sovereignty, human rights, and international relations, highlighting Nigeria’s delicate balancing act between global cooperation and safeguarding its cultural and religious values. As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns and recommendations, the future trajectory of Nigeria’s involvement in the Samoa Agreement remains uncertain, pending further legislative and public scrutiny.
