Nigeria is set to repatriate more than 100 of its citizens currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia following a new bilateral agreement between both countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement shared on her official X handle on Wednesday, June 10, while in Addis Ababa for the signing of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement.
She said the agreement was signed alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, describing it as a significant step aimed at bringing Nigerian prisoners back home from Ethiopian correctional facilities.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the agreement covers Nigerian inmates currently held in Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.
She explained that the initiative is part of efforts to ensure humane treatment and improve the welfare of Nigerians incarcerated abroad, adding that over 100 prisoners are expected to benefit from the arrangement.
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“We were met upon arrival by the HMOS Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia and the Chief of Protocol. This Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the two nations of Ethiopia and Nigeria. The signature ceremony takes place this afternoon,” she said.
The minister also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, noting that Nigeria places high priority on the welfare of its citizens overseas.
She further revealed that four Nigerian prisoners have died during the long negotiation and approval process, warning that delays make urgent repatriation necessary.
“Four Nigerian Prisoners have died within the time frame it has taken for the negotiations, judicial vetting and this final ratification process. We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives . We are determined to bring home the living,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as one grounded in humanity, justice, and mutual cooperation between both nations.
While urging Nigerians abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens in detention are treated with dignity and their rights protected under international legal frameworks.