The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a statement clarifying that Nigeria does not recognize same-sex marriage, amidst controversy surrounding the Samoa agreement.
The association’s president, Yakubu Maikyau, emphasized that the agreement does not require Nigeria to accept LGBTQ or gay rights as a condition to benefit from the agreement.
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“The agreement respects the local laws and sovereignty of the contracting nations. This includes Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023, and the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the statement read.
The NBA asserted that if the agreement had mandated Nigeria to recognize LGBTQ rights, it would have advised the Federal Government against entering any partnership that could compromise the country’s sovereignty.
“To be clear, the SAMOA agreement does not seek to undermine our existing legislation or the sovereignty of Nigeria,” the NBA stated.
The NBA reviewed the agreement at the request of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and found no provisions that compromise Nigeria’s laws or sovereignty.
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“The SAMOA Agreement covers six main areas: democracy and human rights, sustainable economic growth and development, climate change, human and social development, peace and security, and migration and mobility,” the NBA explained.
The association urged the government to continue public enlightenment efforts and called on other stakeholders to join in countering negative perceptions about the agreement.
