The Federal Government of Nigeria has reassured its citizens that it will not enter into any international agreements that are detrimental to the nation’s interests. This statement, made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, followed concerns about the recent signing of the Samoa Agreement.
Idris clarified that the Samoa Agreement, signed on June 28, 2024, at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, is a vital legal framework for cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union. He emphasized that the agreement was thoroughly reviewed and consulted upon by an Interministerial Committee, ensuring it did not contravene Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution or other extant laws.
The Samoa Agreement, initially signed in Apia, Samoa, on November 15, 2018, involves the EU, its Member States, and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member States. The agreement includes 103 articles and three regional protocols: Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU, each addressing specific regional issues.
The African Regional Protocol of the Agreement consists of two parts: the Framework for Cooperation and Areas of Cooperation, which cover inclusive and sustainable economic growth, human and social development, environmental and natural resources management, climate change, peace and security, human rights, democracy, governance, and migration and mobility.
Idris stressed that Nigeria’s endorsement came with a Statement of Declaration clarifying that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws would be invalid. He reassured Nigerians that the existing legislation against same-sex relationships, enacted in 2014, remains in force.
The Minister highlighted that the Samoa Agreement aims to promote sustainable development, combat climate change, generate investment opportunities, and foster collaboration among OACPS Member States on the international stage. He reiterated that the agreement reflects a collective vision for a sustainable and prosperous future, ensuring Nigeria’s interests are safeguarded.