Nigerian government seeks to secure the transfer of more than 100 citizens jailed in Ethiopia.

The Federal Government has begun steps to bring home more than 100 Nigerians who are currently imprisoned in Ethiopia.

Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, who is in Addis Ababa to finalize the agreement, and Attorney‑General Lateef Fagbemi announced the initiative in a post on her verified X account on Wednesday.

Both officials were received by the Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol.

During the negotiations, judicial reviews, and final ratification, four Nigerian prisoners have died.

“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” Odumegwu‑Ojukwu said, naming Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the Nigerians are detained.

She added that the bilateral agreement is based on humanity, justice, and cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia.

“While we continue to encourage our citizens living and traveling 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 minister said.