The Nigerian government led by President Tinubu plans to publicly release the details of the Samoa Agreement it signed, in order to address concerns that the deal may have recognized LGBT rights.
According to Sahara Reporters, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu stated in a press conference that the agreement does not actually contain any provisions acknowledging LGBT rights by Nigeria.
He said, “When you get a copy of the agreement, you will see that this is a broad agreement. It is about education, it is about food security, it is about water and sanitation, it is about decent work, it is about demography, it is about youths, it is about culture and sustainable development, it is about inclusive economic development, it is about private sector development, it is about human rights, democracy and the rule of law, it is about good governance, public administration, personal data, peace and security.
He added, “about $600m worth of projects are coming under” the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme of the Federal Government."
The Samoa Agreement was signed between Nigeria and the European Union in June 2024. It covers a broad range of areas for potential cooperation, including sectors like education, food security, human rights, and more. Bagudu explained that the agreement contains around 200 distinct areas of possible collaboration.
In response to the controversy, Bagudu said Nigeria will issue its own declaration clarifying the basis on which it signed the Samoa Agreement. This is to prevent any misinterpretation, particularly regarding the LGBT issue. The government emphasized that it would not enter into any international deal that contradicts Nigeria's constitution, religious beliefs, or cultural norms.