The bill, stipulates penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex “amorous relationships” and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the National Assembly in May 2013.
Two similar bills have been proposed since 2006 but failed to make it through Parliament.
“Yes, Mr President had signed the bill into law, a statement will be issued on it within the week,” Presidency spokesman, Reuben Abati told Reuters.
Under existing Nigerian Federal Law, sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence.
While European countries, most recently France have moved to offer same-sex couples the same legal rights enjoyed by heterosexuals, many African countries are seeking to tighten laws against homosexuality.
Britain and some other Western countries have threatened to cut aid, a threat that has helped hold back or scupper such legislation in aid-dependent nations like Uganda and Malawi.
In a related development, the government of Canada on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the enactment of the law against homosexuality in Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement signed by the Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, the Canadian government noted that “it is deeply concerned that Nigeria has adopted a law that further criminalizes homosexuality. This law can be used to impose prison sentences of up to 14 years”.
The statement further urged “Nigeria to repeal this law and to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians regardless of their sexual orientation”.
Canada, the statement added “has clearly spoken out against human rights violations committed against people on the basis of their sexuality, and we will continue to do so.”
The stance of the Federal Government, backed by the legislature, may also have reflected the cultures of the Nigerian peoples and the bent of the religions which the people practice.
