Balancing economic development, moral values and Samoa Agreement

ADOLPHUS AREBANMHEN ALETOR 

Adolphus Aletor, FCA, MCIB, banker and finance analyst, an experienced senior corporate executive with a demonstrable history of working in the banking industry, skilled in negotiation, business planning, risk management, and analytical skills, is the managing director/CEO, Rigo Microfinance Bank. He can be reached on +234 8033 410380 (WhatsApp only) or jiyere@yahoo.com 

Samoa, a country of less than forty thousand people, surrounded by Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga, and New Zealand, has lost sleep having played host to the European Union and its African, Caribbean and Pacific partner states to promote the rights of all “Gender and Humanity”. With about 49 African countries in support of the partnership, including Nigeria, the definition of Gender in the agreement has become of major concern to many. The Agreement, now a controversial international pact, has sparked intense debate in Nigeria. The government’s decision to sign the agreement has raised concerns about the country’s moral fabric and sovereignty.

The Samoa Agreement, first initiated on 15th November 2018, in Apia, Samoa, aims to promote global cooperation on LGBTQ+ rights. Nigeria initially refused to sign the agreement, instead enacting a law against same-sex marriage. However, the current administration has reversed this stance, citing economic benefits and global partnerships.

The Samoa Agreement offers significant economic incentives, including access to €150 billion in funding, technical expertise, and collaboration on global issues like climate change and security. This could boost Nigeria’s economy, improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and promote inclusive economic development. Access to this fund would close the prevailing budget gap and facilitate progress towards a one trillion-dollar economy.

Critics argue that the agreement promotes Western ideologies and values that undermine Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape. The country’s existing law against same-sex marriage could be eroded, promoting activities considered immoral. Some experts warn that international agreements often supersede local laws, potentially compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The federal government has attempted to alleviate fears by assuring that the agreement will be implemented with a caveat prioritising local laws. However, many remain sceptical, citing the potential for external influence and blackmail. Supporting the federal government’s position for instance, Britain, during the era of Mr. Tony Blair as prime minister chose economic development over an international convention signed to prevent bribery across international borders. The country cited potential loss of British jobs, and collapse of strategic diplomatic relations as the reason. Eva Joly, a French Judge, concluded that “a treaty is only worth the paper it is written [on] and not the treaty itself,” reassuring concerned persons of the supremacy of local disposition. 

The Samoa Agreement presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria. While it offers economic benefits and global partnerships, it also poses risks to the country’s moral fabric and sovereignty. The government must strike a balance between economic development and upholding the country’s values and laws. By prioritising counselling and addressing physiological needs, Nigeria can navigate this complex issue while maintaining its unique cultural and religious context. Ultimately, the country’s development should be grounded in its own values, rather than external influences or blackmail.

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