The Federal Government has signed a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement with Ethiopia, paving the way for the repatriation of more than 100 Nigerians currently serving prison sentences in the East African country.

The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa on Thursday by Nigeria's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Ethiopia's Minister of Justice, Ms Hanna Arayaselassie. It was facilitated by the foreign ministers of both countries — Nigeria's Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Ethiopia's Gideon Timothewos.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement covers over 100 Nigerian nationals, including four women. But the process took a tragic turn — four Nigerian prisoners died while negotiations, judicial vetting and ratification were still ongoing.

“We can't afford to lose any more precious lives. We're determined to bring home the living,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

The agreement allows sentenced persons who are nationals of either country to be transferred to their home country to serve the remainder of their jail terms. The transfer is subject to agreed conditions and applicable laws.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the legal framework recognises the role of family, language, culture and social support in rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders. She said correctional systems shouldn't only punish wrongdoing but also provide opportunities for rehabilitation and reformation.

“For Nigeria, the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad remain a cardinal responsibility of the Government, particularly at a period when citizen-centred diplomacy remains a key pillar of our foreign policy objectives,” she said.

The minister urged Nigerians living and travelling abroad to respect the laws of their host countries. But she also said the government is committed to ensuring that Nigerians who run into trouble with the law abroad are treated with dignity and given their rights under applicable legal frameworks.

Timothewos said the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, which spans more than six decades, should be further strengthened through continuous consultation and cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu is expected to visit Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons in Ethiopia on Thursday as part of efforts to facilitate the process. The agreement also covers areas like trade and investment, aviation, security, migration management, and regional peace and security.

  • Over 100 Nigerians (including 4 women) currently in Ethiopian prisons
  • 4 Nigerian prisoners died during negotiations
  • Agreement signed in Addis Ababa on June 11, 2026
  • Signed by Nigeria's AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Ethiopia's Justice Minister Hanna Arayaselassie
  • Facilitated by Foreign Ministers Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Gideon Timothewos
  • Bilateral relationship between both countries spans over 60 years

Also present at the signing were Nigeria's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Nasir Aminu, representatives of the Nigeria Correctional Service, and officials of the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission.