The Misinformation Surrounding Nigeria's Samoa Agreement and LGBTQ+ Rights

 The July 4 article titled “LGBT: Knocks As Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal” has sparked widespread concern about Nigeria becoming an “LGBTQ+ nation.” However, the article fails to cite any portion of the Samoa agreement that mandates Nigeria to change its laws to accommodate LGBTQ-friendly policies. The headline and story are based on an unnamed report without providing concrete evidence.

The article claims that the agreement includes clauses compelling underdeveloped and developing nations to support LGBTQ+ recognition as a condition for financial aid, but this information lacks direct citation. This has led to a phenomenon known as circular reporting, where unverified information is repeated and reinforced through multiple sources without original verification.

A review of the 12-page agreement, titled “The Samoa Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific States,” available on the European Parliament website, reveals no such mandate. The document does mention combating discrimination, including sexual discrimination, but it acknowledges resistance from several countries, including European Union members, to enshrine “sexual rights” in their legal codes.

Notably, some African and Caribbean countries have not signed the agreement, expressing concerns about compatibility with their legal systems, particularly regarding same-sex relations and sexual health rights. The agreement allows signatories to make interpretative declarations or reservations, enabling them to align the terms with their cultural and legal contexts.

In essence, the Samoa Agreement does not obligate Nigeria or other signatories to adopt LGBTQ rights beyond existing international agreements. The current uproar is based on misinformation and a misinterpretation of the agreement's provisions.

This episode underscores the tendency of the Nigerian media to create sensational stories from unverified information, diverting attention from more pressing issues such as the economic conditions and policies imposed by institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which have a tangible impact on the daily lives of Nigerians. The focus on LGBTQ+ rights, while culturally significant, overshadows more immediate concerns affecting the nation's socio-economic well-being.