Nigeria has signed a bilateral Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement with Ethiopia to repatriate more than 100 Nigerian prisoners currently held in Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons. Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu announced the deal on her official X account, noting she signed the agreement in Addis Ababa alongside Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi. She emphasized that the move reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians abroad, adding that four prisoners had died during the prolonged negotiation process, underscoring its urgency.
The delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister and Chief of Protocol ahead of the signing ceremony. Odumegwu‑Ojukwu stressed that while Nigerians must respect the laws of host countries, the government remains committed to ensuring those who fall into conflict with the law are treated with dignity under international frameworks. Social media reactions were swift, with some praising the agreement as “long overdue,” while others lamented that lives were lost before action was taken.
Nigeria has been working to secure the repatriation of nearly 300 citizens from Ethiopian prisons, where rights groups have reported overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and deaths among inmates. Similar agreements have been signed in the past, including Nigeria’s 2018 prisoner transfer deal with the United Kingdom, and Ghana and Kenya’s arrangements with foreign governments to ease overcrowding and improve conditions. Globally, nearly 2,000 Nigerians are serving sentences abroad, with large populations in India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where some face death penalties.
The Ethiopia agreement is expected to allow affected Nigerians to complete their sentences in Nigerian correctional facilities, easing pressure on Ethiopian prisons while reinforcing Nigeria’s broader diplomatic efforts to protect its nationals and uphold humane treatment standards. Analysts say the deal fits into a wider pattern of prisoner transfer diplomacy across Africa and beyond, reflecting a growing trend of governments negotiating to bring citizens home from foreign prisons. This approach not only addresses humanitarian concerns but also strengthens bilateral ties and demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its nationals worldwide.
