Education Ministry Requests DSS Investigation into Group’s Proposed Same-Sex Marriage Debate

• The Ministry of Education has alerted the DSS about a planned nationwide debate on legalizing same-sex marriage in Nigeria, which violates existing laws
• The ministry accused the organizers of forging letters using its letterhead and warned the debate could increase public tension and disorder

The Ministry of Education has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate Creative Africa Initiative, a group planning to organize a nationwide debate on same-sex marriage. The proposed debate, titled ‘Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legalized in Nigeria,’ has raised concerns within the ministry, as it contravenes existing Nigerian laws.

In a letter dated August 9 addressed to the DSS Director-General, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, expressed alarm over the initiative. He noted that the debate topic goes against Nigeria’s cultural and religious values and violates the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) of 2014, which criminalizes same-sex marriages and LGBT rights in the country.

The Permanent Secretary also accused Creative Africa Initiative of forging letters using the ministry’s letterhead to promote the debate. He warned that the debate could lead to public disorder, increasing tension and division in the country.

“I write to bring to your attention a urgent national concern. I have noticed that an organization, Creative Africa Initiative, has issued a letter not originating from the Federal Ministry of Education proposing to hold a national debate with the topic: ‘Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legalized in Nigeria.’ Given the sensitive nature of this topic, which is not only against the cultural and religious values of the majority of Nigerians but also contravenes existing Nigerian laws,” the letter stated.

The ministry emphasized the potential for the debate to disrupt public peace and social cohesion, and urged the DSS to thoroughly investigate the origins and intentions behind the group’s actions. The letter concluded by asking the DSS to urgently handle the matter to protect the nation’s peace and stability.