Nigeria has signed a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Ethiopia, marking a significant step in its efforts to protect and support Nigerian citizens living abroad. The agreement will allow eligible Nigerian inmates serving prison sentences in Ethiopia to be transferred to Nigeria to complete their terms under established legal procedures and international standards.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this during a visit to Nigerian inmates at AbaSamuel Prison in Ethiopia. She assured the inmates that the Federal Government remained committed to their welfare and had not abandoned them. According to the minister, the agreement was the outcome of extensive negotiations, legal reviews, and diplomatic engagements between both countries.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that four Nigerian prisoners died while awaiting the conclusion of the transfer process. She expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation throughout the negotiations and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of its citizens abroad. The minister also urged Nigerians living in foreign countries to respect local laws and conduct themselves in ways that uphold the nation’s reputation.