The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a landmark prisoner transfer agreement with Ethiopia that will allow up to 98 Nigerian inmates to be repatriated to complete their sentences at home.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, , conveyed the development during a visit to Nigerians incarcerated at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia, delivering a message of reassurance from President that the country remains committed to their welfare.
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa by Nigeria’s Attorney General, , and Ethiopia’s Justice Minister, , marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough. It enables Nigerian prisoners—primarily held in Aba Samuel and Kaliti prisons—to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria, subject to their consent and eligibility requirements, including having at least one year left to serve.
According to Ethiopian authorities, about 96 male and two female inmates are likely to benefit from the arrangement.
Speaking to the inmates, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the agreement aligns with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D foreign policy framework—Diplomacy, Democracy, Development, and Demography—and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to citizen-centered diplomacy.
She emphasized that while the government is determined to protect the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad, the initiative should not be misconstrued as tolerance for unlawful behavior.
“This is not a license for impunity,” the minister warned, urging Nigerians to respect the laws of their host countries and avoid criminal activities.
She further encouraged the inmates to embrace rehabilitation and take advantage of future government-backed reintegration programmes, including skills acquisition and capacity-building initiatives upon their return.
The minister disclosed that at least four Nigerian inmates died during the prolonged negotiation and legal processes leading to the agreement, underscoring the urgency of the intervention.
Assistant Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aminu Yusuf, assured the inmates that arrangements were in place to receive them at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, after which they may be relocated closer to their families.
READ ALSO: FG Tasks Envoys on Democracy, Security, Economic Diplomacy in West Africa
Foundation Expands Empowerment Drive to Benin Republic, Trains Over 300 Women in Skills Acquisition
The announcement sparked emotional reactions among the inmates, many of whom expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government, singing praises of President Tinubu and the visiting delegation. Their spokesperson pledged good conduct and commitment to rebuilding their lives if repatriated.
The agreement is widely seen as a humanitarian milestone and a testament to strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
About The Author
