The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the Government of Ethiopia to facilitate the transfer of over 100 Nigerian prisoners currently serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities back to Nigeria.
The deal was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who disclosed the development in a post on her official X account on Wednesday.
According to her, the agreement signed alongside the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi—is a bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between both countries aimed at allowing affected Nigerians to complete the remainder of their jail terms in Nigeria.
She said the prisoners affected are currently held in Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia.
“In Addis Ababa to sign a very important agreement with the government of Ethiopia, together with the AGF HM Lateef Fagbemi, to transfer over 100 Nigerian prisoners that are currently languishing in their prisons, namely the Kaliti Prisons and AbaSamuel Prisons, Ethiopia, back to Nigeria,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that the Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol ahead of the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa.
She said the agreement reflects the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.
According to her, four Nigerian prisoners died during the prolonged negotiation and legal vetting process, underscoring the urgency behind the agreement.
The Minister noted that efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the affected Nigerians, while also urging citizens abroad to respect the laws of their host countries.
“The Agreement we sign today is rooted in the principles of humanity, justice, and cooperation between our two nations,” she said.
“While we continue to encourage our citizens living and travelling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries and uphold the good name of our nation, we also remain committed to ensuring that those who find themselves in conflict with the law are treated with dignity and accorded their rights under applicable legal frameworks.”
The Federal Government has in recent months intensified diplomatic efforts to secure the repatriation of nearly 300 Nigerians serving prison sentences in Ethiopia, amid concerns over deteriorating conditions in detention facilities such as Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa.
Reports have raised concerns about overcrowding, poor medical care, and deaths among inmates, prompting renewed urgency in negotiations between both countries.
Officials say the agreement is expected to ease the process of transferring eligible inmates to Nigeria, where they will serve the remainder of their sentences under the Nigerian correctional system.