In recent weeks, the Nigerian government’s decision to sign the Samoa Agreement sparked heated debates across the nation. This agreement, which aims to foster international cooperation on climate resilience and sustainable development, has been both lauded and criticized, creating a whirlwind of controversy that some argue is much ado about nothing akin to a storm in a teacup

The Samoa Agreement formalized during the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference in Apia, Samoa, is designed to enhance cooperation among nations vulnerable to climate change. It focuses on key areas such as disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and biodiversity conservation.

The Samoa Agreement is the legal framework for the European Union’s relations with 79 countries, including 48 African, 16 Caribbean, and 15 Pacific countries.

Controversy, however, dogged the agreement signed by the federal government with the European Union, with many frowning at what they described as the recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights by the Nigerian government.

The Samoa deals elicited reactions online with many opposing LGBT rights, which is contrary to the anti-same-sex marriages and gay relationships law enacted in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) dismissed as false, reports that the Federal Government signed a $150 billion loan deal that would require it to recognize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, LGBTQ, rights.

NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in a statement said it was privileged to go through the agreement before it was signed stressing that the agreement does not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty or existing laws, including the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023. Mr. Maikyau said the NBA would have advised the government against signing the agreement if it contravene any Nigerian laws.

But Nigeria’s participation, though geographically distant from the Pacific island nations, is a strategic move to align with global climate goals and leverage international support for its environmental challenges.

The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity in addressing climate change. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu alongside his counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria won’t enter into an agreement that was antithetical to the constitution as well as the religious and cultural sensibilities of the heterogeneous people of Nigeria.

Alhaji Bagudu said Nigeria signed the agreement to boost food security, and inclusive economic development, amongst other vital areas.

Despite the government’s assurances, critics argue that the Samoa Agreement may not directly benefit Nigeria. They contend that the country’s pressing issues—such as economic instability, infrastructure deficits, and security challenges—should take precedence over international agreements that seem peripheral.

The House of Representatives told the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement until all controversial clauses are addressed. The House resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by the Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and 87 others during plenary in Abuja on 9 July 2024.

Hon. Madaki adverted attention to the clause that highlighted “gender equality” and described it as a Trojan horse that could violate the morals of the country. The House, thereafter, mandated its relevant committees to investigate the controversial provisions of the agreement.

Some environmental activists have expressed skepticism about the government’s ability to implement the commitments made under the agreement. They point to Nigeria’s track record on environmental issues, such as deforestation and oil pollution, and call for more concrete action at home rather than international pledges.

Economists and policy analysts are divided on the potential economic impact of the agreement. Some believe that participation in such international frameworks can open doors for foreign aid, investment, and technological support. Others, however, caution that the benefits may not be immediate or substantial enough to justify the commitment.

The controversy surrounding Nigeria’s signing of the Samoa Agreement reflects the broader tension between global responsibilities and national priorities. While the agreement aims to foster international cooperation on critical issues, the debate highlights the complexities and differing perspectives within Nigeria.

As the government moves forward with its commitment, it remains to be seen how effectively the Samoa Agreement will be integrated into Nigeria’s broader development agenda. For now, the nation watches closely, hoping that this much ado about nothing will eventually lead to meaningful action and tangible benefits for its people.

Way forward

The NBA President while calling on the government to continue public enlightenment on the agreement, urged stakeholders to educate the public on its true content.

The Federal Government had before the signing of the agreement shared the copy of the agreement with critical stakeholders for their inputs before it was signed on 28 June,2024. The stakeholders, disappointed the federal government as they failed to reveal their involvement in the process leading to the signing of the agreement except for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which owned up to read the agreement before it was signed.

In addition, the controversy generated after the signing of the agreement revealed a complete failure in the media management of issues by the ministry responsible for the dissemination of government information.

Hear the NBA President: “It is important for all stakeholders, who have had the opportunity of engaging with the Government on this agreement before its execution, and others who have read and understood the objective of the agreement to endeavor to educate the public on its true content.

“The negative narratives on this agreement are being pushed and propagated along very sensitive lines of our faith, culture, and morality, thus the need for caution and proper education. “It is important for all stakeholders, who have had the opportunity of engaging with the Government on this agreement before its execution, and others who have read and understood the objective of the agreement to endeavor to educate the public on its true content.

“The negative narratives on this agreement are being pushed and propagated along very sensitive lines of our faith, culture, and morality, thus the need for caution and proper education”, he stressed.

Although the Federal Government restated its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech it said it would, however, not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and its national security lightly.

Daily Trust newspaper, an Abuja-based media house had earlier published what the government considered as false.

According to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) Ombudsman on what it calls “irresponsible reporting”.

In a follow-up editorial, the Daily Trust appeared to have recanted and was short of tendering an apology to the government for its wrong interpretation and reporting of the SAMOA agreement wherein the government may have been wrongly accused.

The Federal Government has warned that it will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law.

Media observers are of the view that the government may soon apply the big hammer on the media using the judicial arm of government.