The Federal Government of Nigeria had on 28th June 2024 signed the Samoa Agreement. Named after the Samoa Island, the OACPS-EU partnership under the Samoa Agreement refers to the new framework that governs the relationship between the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
Details about the Agreement were not made public and did not capture attention until the Daily Trust publication that linked the deal to the promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) in Nigeria.
The Federal Government denied any involvement in the deal for promoting or supporting same-sex marriage or LGBT.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made the deal known to the public on Monday, 1st July during a reception organized by the European Union in Abuja.
Controversies have followed the deal due to its reported inclination towards supporting the LGBT community. Many religious and right groups have joined the conversation demanding more transparency and accountability from the Government.
Here’s what you need to know the Deal:
-Samoa deal is an economic development agreement valued at $150 billion
-Negotiations on the agreement initially started in November 2023.
-It was signed in Apia, Samoa on the 15th November 2023 by 27 EU member states and 47 out of 79 OACPS member states.
-After several consultations, Nigeria finally signed on 28th June, 2024.
-The Samoa agreement includes 103 articles and aims to promote sustainable development, combat climate change, generate investment opportunities and foster collaboration.
-It reportedly has some clauses as a condition for the deal that promote and support agitations by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.
– However, the Nigerian government has refuted the claims, arguing that the agreement does not endorse LGBTQ
– The government has also vowed to invalidate any provisions in the agreement that are inconsistent with Nigerian laws.
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