Nigeria, Ethiopia Seal Prisoner Transfer Deal, 98 Inmates Eligible for Repatriation

Nearly 100 Nigerians serving prison sentences in Ethiopia are set to return home following the signing of a landmark prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, a development that sparked jubilation among inmates during a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message to the inmates at Aba Samuel Prison on Thursday, the minister assured them that the Nigerian government had not abandoned its citizens despite their circumstances.

“Your country will not forsake you,” she told the inmates, conveying the President’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad.

The visit came a day after Nigeria and Ethiopia signed the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement in Addis Ababa, a pact that will enable eligible Nigerian prisoners to complete their jail terms in Nigeria.

The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, with the process facilitated by the foreign ministries of both countries.

According to Ethiopian prison authorities, about 98 Nigerian inmates—96 men and two women—are expected to benefit from the arrangement, subject to their consent and the condition that they have at least one year remaining on their sentences.

Addressing the inmates, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a major achievement under President Tinubu’s citizen-centred foreign policy and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said the transfer arrangement reflected Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens while maintaining respect for the laws of host countries.

“This agreement is rooted in humanity, justice and cooperation between our two nations,” the minister said.

She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died while negotiations and legal procedures leading to the agreement were ongoing, describing the development as unfortunate.

The minister urged the prisoners to seize the opportunity for personal transformation and rehabilitation, stressing that the government’s intervention should not be interpreted as tolerance for criminal conduct.

“This is not a licence for wrongdoing. When you return home, chart a new path and become productive citizens,” she said.

She further assured the inmates that the government would continue to explore programmes aimed at skills acquisition, capacity building and reintegration to help them rebuild their lives.

Assistant Controller-General of Corrections, Aminu Yusuf, who represented the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, said arrangements were in place to receive the returnees in Nigeria.

He explained that the inmates would first be processed at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being transferred to facilities closer to their families, where appropriate.

The announcement triggered emotional scenes at the prison facility as inmates broke into songs and cheers, expressing gratitude to President Tinubu, the Foreign Affairs Minister and other officials involved in securing the agreement.

Speaking on behalf of the prisoners, their representative commended both governments for concluding the transfer arrangement and pledged that the inmates would conduct themselves responsibly upon their return.

The agreement is expected to deepen judicial and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia while providing eligible inmates the opportunity to serve the remainder of their sentences closer to their families and support networks.