Britain will increase its aid to Nigeria this year from 200 million pounds to 270 million in spite of its disagreement with the introduction of an anti-gay law in the country.
A spokesman for the Department of International Development (DFID) said the agency would not cut aid
to Nigeria as none was channelled through the government.
According to the spokesman, all British aid money is spent via agencies, such as UNICEF and private contractors providing education, clean water and anti-malaria projects, among others.
The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act signed by President Goodluck Jonathan on Jan.7, prescribes up to 14 years in jail for persons who engage in gay marriage and up to 10 years for membership or encouragement of gay clubs and groups.
The law also prescribes 10 years sentence for gay couples, who display affection in public and penalties for those who try to help homosexuals avoid detection.
The approval of the law has continued to attract condemnation Europe, the US and international bodies but many Nigerians, Africans and blacks from the Caribbean are in support of it.
Nigeria is the 38th African nation to put in place such laws.