Hope and relief swept through Nigerian inmates in Ethiopian prisons as the Federal Government announced a landmark agreement that will allow nearly 100 convicted Nigerians to return home and complete their jail terms in Nigeria.
The development followed the signing of a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between the governments of Nigeria and Ethiopia, a diplomatic breakthrough aimed at strengthening humanitarian cooperation and protecting the rights of citizens serving prison terms abroad.
Delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message during a visit to inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, assured the prisoners that Nigeria had not abandoned them despite their circumstances.
“Your country has not forsaken you,” she told the inmates, conveying President Tinubu’s commitment to citizen welfare under the administration’s foreign policy agenda.
The agreement, signed on June 10, 2026, by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, provides a legal framework for Nigerian inmates serving sentences in Ethiopia to be transferred to Nigeria.
According to Ethiopian authorities, about 98 Nigerian prisoners, including 96 men and two women, are expected to benefit from the arrangement, provided they consent to the transfer and have at least one year of their sentence remaining.
Humanitarian Gesture Rooted in Citizen Diplomacy
Speaking to the inmates after separate meetings with officials of the Ethiopian Federal Prisons Commission and the Ministry of Justice, Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the agreement was inspired by the citizen diplomacy component of Nigeria’s 4-D Foreign Policy Framework—Diplomacy, Democracy, Development and Demography—under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She described the prisoner transfer pact as an initiative founded on humanity, justice and cooperation between both nations.
The minister disclosed that the negotiations and legal processes leading to the agreement took considerable time and, sadly, four Nigerian inmates died during the period.
Despite the breakthrough, she cautioned Nigerians against interpreting the agreement as a license to violate foreign laws.
“This is not a license for impunity,” she warned, stressing that Nigerians travelling abroad must respect the laws of their host countries and protect the image of the nation.
Call for Rehabilitation and New Beginnings
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the inmates to embrace rehabilitation and prepare for a productive future upon their return to Nigeria.
She encouraged them to cooperate fully with prison authorities in completing the necessary documentation and consent forms required for their transfer.
The minister also highlighted government plans to support rehabilitation through technical training, capacity-building initiatives and opportunities designed to help returnees acquire legitimate means of livelihood.
In an emotional appeal, she advised the inmates to avoid returning to criminal activities.
“Do it for your mother, for your father, for your family who are troubled that you are here, and for the sake of your country,” she said.
“Please, when you return, chart a new path. This government remains committed to assisting you to chart this new path.”
Correctional Service Ready for Returnees
Representing the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Assistant Controller-General (Operations), Aminu Yusuf, assured the inmates that adequate arrangements had been made for their reception and reintegration into Nigeria’s correctional system.
He explained that the returnees would initially be received at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being relocated to facilities closer to their families, where appropriate.
“We wish you well and look forward to welcoming you back to Nigeria,” Yusuf told the inmates.
Emotional Reactions from Inmates
The announcement triggered scenes of jubilation inside the prison facility, with many inmates expressing gratitude to President Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and legal representatives who facilitated the agreement.
Their spokesperson described the development as a life-changing opportunity and pledged that the inmates would maintain good conduct and become responsible citizens if repatriated.
For many of the prisoners, the agreement represents more than a transfer of incarceration—it offers a chance to reconnect with families, access familiar support systems and begin the difficult journey toward rehabilitation and reintegration.
The prisoner transfer deal marks a significant diplomatic achievement for Nigeria and Ethiopia, reinforcing growing bilateral cooperation while underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians, regardless of where they may be in the world.
