The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the Federal Government to seek amendments to the Samoa Agreement or withdraw from it if the European Union (EU) refuses the proposed changes.

In a statement issued by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji and Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the CBCN expressed concerns about the agreement’s alignment with Nigeria’s moral, cultural, and religious values.

Signed on June 28, 2024, the Samoa Agreement is an economic partnership between the EU and African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries, addressing democracy, human rights, economic growth, climate change, social development, peace, security, and migration. However, the bishops argue that the agreement includes “post-modern secularistic ideologies” that undermine Nigeria’s beliefs.

The CBCN highlighted that the agreement’s references to sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive health rights lack clear definitions, potentially supporting controversial issues like abortion and comprehensive sexuality education. They emphasized that these terms contradict Nigerian values and pose a threat to national sovereignty.

Specifically, the bishops pointed to Articles promoting gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights as problematic. They argued that these provisions could lead to the promotion of value-free sex education and access to reproductive health services for children and youth, conflicting with Nigerian societal norms.

To resolve these issues, the CBCN recommends adding a clause to the agreement ensuring no obligations regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, abortion, contraception, legalization of prostitution, same-sex marriage, or sexual rights for children. They believe Nigeria should lead in proposing these amendments, potentially influencing other ACP countries to follow suit.

The CBCN advised that if the EU rejects the amendments, Nigeria should withdraw from the Samoa Agreement, citing South Africa’s precedent of withdrawing from the Cotonou Agreement in 2023.