Ninety‑eight Nigerians imprisoned in Ethiopia to be repatriated to Nigeria

About 98 Nigerians serving sentences in Ethiopia are scheduled to be repatriated to Nigeria after a prisoner‑transfer agreement was signed between the two governments.

The announcement came during a visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu to the inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia. She conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s assurance that Nigeria had not abandoned its citizens abroad.

The pact, signed in Addis Ababa on June 10, allows convicted Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons to finish the remainder of their terms in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for Ethiopia.

According to Ethiopian authorities, roughly 98 inmates—including two women—are eligible for transfer, provided they consent and have at least one year left on their sentences.

Addressing the inmates, Odumegwu‑Ojukwu said the agreement reflected the Tinubu administration’s citizen‑diplomacy policy and was driven by humanitarian considerations and bilateral cooperation.

She noted that four Nigerian inmates had died during the negotiations and legal processes that led to the agreement.

The minister urged the inmates to cooperate with authorities by completing the necessary paperwork for the transfer and reminded them that the arrangement should not be used as an excuse for criminal conduct.

She also encouraged them to pursue rehabilitation and self‑improvement, assuring them that the government would support their reintegration through skills acquisition and capacity‑building programmes.

“I want to thank the Ethiopian government for this prisoner‑transfer agreement and to reassure you that the Nigerian government remains concerned about your welfare, your dignity, and your access to fair treatment under all applicable laws,” the minister said. “I also wish to remind you of the importance of personal rehabilitation. This self‑improvement and good conduct can create opportunities for a better future. The government is committed to providing avenues for technical training, capacity building, and other pathways that will enhance your skills and provide legitimate opportunities for living.”

Assistant Controller‑General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aminu Yusuf, who represented the Controller‑General, assured the inmates that arrangements had been made for their reception in Nigeria.

He added that they would first be processed at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being transferred to facilities closer to their families.

The announcement sparked celebrations among the inmates, many of whom expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and their legal representatives.

Speaking on behalf of the prisoners, their spokesperson welcomed the agreement and pledged that the inmates would conduct themselves responsibly if returned to Nigeria.