There were reports that the Nigerian government on Wednesday joined other African, Caribbean, Pacific States and EU nations in signing the Samoa Agreement which superseded and replaced the Cotonou Agreement (2000).
The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has denied participating in the signing of the New Partnership Agreement, known as the Samoa Agreement, between the member states of the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).
There were reports that the Nigerian government on Wednesday joined other African, Caribbean, Pacific States and EU nations in signing the Samoa Agreement which superseded and replaced the Cotonou Agreement (2000).
However, in a statement issued by the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francisca K. Omayuli, the Nigerian government said that the country was not represented at the signing of the agreement on Wednesday as stakeholders were still reviewing the instrument.
Omayuli stated that “The Samoa Agreement covers six (6) key priority areas of Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; Peace and Security; Human and Social Development; Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth; and Development, Migration and Mobility.
“The Agreement supersedes and replaces the Cotonou Agreement (2000), which in turn was preceded by several other agreements aimed at bolstering relations between the OACPS and EU.
“The general public is invited to note that Nigeria was not represented at the Signing Ceremony, which took place in Samoa on Wednesday, 15th November, 2023 and hence has not signed the Agreement.
“Relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently studying the Instrument with a view to ensuring that its provisions do not contravene Nigeria's domestic legislation.”