President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian citizens currently serving sentences in Ethiopian correctional facilities that his administration has not abandoned them, following the activation of a prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
The assurance was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during an official visit to Nigerian inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia on June 11.
She announced the commencement of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement between both countries, describing it as part of the government’s citizen-focused diplomatic strategy under its 4-D foreign policy framework.
According to her, the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy, democracy, development, and demography, with a strong emphasis on protecting citizens abroad.
She told the inmates that the government remained aware of their situation, stressing that efforts were underway to bring eligible prisoners back home.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the negotiation process took time due to legal and judicial procedures, adding that several Nigerian inmates reportedly died while discussions were ongoing before the agreement was concluded.
She emphasized that the federal government is committed to protecting Nigerians abroad but warned that citizens must also obey the laws of host countries to avoid legal consequences.
According to her, inmates who qualify for transfer must formally consent before documentation and repatriation processes can proceed in line with international correctional rules.
She also encouraged the inmates to embrace rehabilitation programmes to support their reintegration upon return to Nigeria.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service assured that returning inmates would be received at Kuje Correctional Centre before further processing and possible relocation closer to their families.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Ethiopian authorities represented their country at the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa.
The agreement is expected to facilitate the transfer of about 100 Nigerian inmates, with estimates suggesting that nearly 98 prisoners, including two women, may benefit if they meet eligibility requirements.
Emotional scenes reportedly followed the minister’s visit, as inmates expressed gratitude and optimism about returning home after years of incarceration abroad.
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