The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that the Samoa agreement does not require Nigeria to recognize LGBTQ or gay rights as a condition for a $150 billion loan or in any other context. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) emphasized that the agreement respects the local laws and sovereignty of the involved nations, including Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023, and the Supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution.
The NBA reassured that it would advise the Federal Government against any agreements that might undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty. The association supports the government’s public awareness campaigns and urges other stakeholders to participate in counteracting negative perceptions about the agreement. It also advised the public to verify the accuracy of information from newspapers and social media.
The Nigerian government has vowed to invalidate any LGBT clause in international agreements. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated that the government ensured none of the Samoa Agreement’s 103 Articles and Provisions violated Nigeria’s Constitution or laws. This situation highlights the tension between international cooperation and local cultural values in a globalized world.