The Nigerian government’s decision to sign the U.S. $150 billion Samoa Agreement has sparked significant controversy, especially among religious groups and rights activists. The agreement reportedly includes clauses promoting LGBTQ+ rights and social issues, which has led to widespread dissent.
Critics are particularly concerned about Articles 2.5 and 29.5 of the agreement. They believe these articles support the legalization of same-sex relationships, transgender rights, and abortion, which they argue clash with Nigeria’s conservative values and cultural identity.
Despite the backlash, the Nigerian government stands by the agreement. Officials argue that the economic benefits, such as infrastructure development and foreign investment, outweigh the concerns raised by critics. They emphasize that the agreement does not force Nigeria to adopt any specific social policies.
Bolaji Adebiyi, media assistant to Nigeria’s minister of budget and economic planning, Atiku Bagudu, commented on the opposition. He stated that the criticisms stem from misunderstandings.
According to Adebiyi, “The Articles 2.5 and 29.5 cited made no mention of LGBT rights but rather 29.5 guarantees ‘support [for] universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and health care services, including family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.'”
“Article 2.5 states that: ‘The parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.’ I fail to see how these articles imply the protection of LGBT rights.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
