Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has signed a bill banning gay marriage into law.
Jonathan approved a bill banning gay marriage and same-sex partnerships earlier this month.
A spokesperson for the president says he signed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 as it was consistent with the attitudes of most people towards homosexuality in the west African nation.
“More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people,” he added.
Under the terms of the law, anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union can be sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Gay partnerships entered into abroad are deemed “void”.
It also warns that anyone who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or who directly or indirectly makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will break the law, and could lead up to 10 years in prison.
The anti-gay law follows similar legislation in Uganda that was condemned by US President Barack Obama as “odious” and compared to apartheid by South African peace icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu.