The Federal Government has said the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement with Ethiopia, aimed at repatriating incarcerated Nigerians, aligns with the citizen diplomacy framework of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this in a statement on Friday signed by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze. She described the agreement as an important diplomatic milestone that prioritises the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora. The minister dismissed a purported list of 136 inmates circulating online as fake, clarifying that only 98 inmates in Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons are covered by the deal. Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that four Nigerian prisoners had died while awaiting the agreement due to poor conditions, including inadequate medical facilities, poor feeding, and language barriers. She emphasised that transferred prisoners would serve their sentences in Nigeria without automatic pardon or amnesty.
The minister stressed that crime has no ethnic or regional affiliation and urged Nigerians to support efforts to bring citizens home under humane conditions. This agreement represents a significant step in protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad, especially those facing harsh conditions in foreign prisons. The move is expected to ease the burden on families separated from loved ones and demonstrate the government’s commitment to citizen-centred diplomacy.
The development comes amid broader efforts by the Nigerian government to strengthen bilateral ties with African nations and address the challenges faced by its diaspora. It also highlights ongoing issues of prison conditions and consular services for Nigerians overseas. Stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, calling for similar agreements with other countries where many Nigerians are incarcerated. As implementation begins, focus will shift to ensuring a smooth transfer process, rehabilitation support upon return, and prevention of future cases through better consular engagement.
