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| Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
Federal Government Intensifies Efforts to Bring Home Inmates Amid Concerns Over Prison Conditions
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken decisive steps to secure the return of nearly 300 Nigerian nationals currently serving prison sentences in Ethiopia, signaling a major diplomatic intervention aimed at addressing growing concerns over the welfare of incarcerated Nigerians abroad.
According to sources within the Presidency and Nigeria’s foreign service, the President has dispatched a high-level delegation to Addis Ababa to negotiate and finalize a prisoner transfer agreement that would enable the inmates to complete their sentences in Nigerian correctional facilities.
The delegation comprises key government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Mission to Secure Prisoner Transfer Agreement
Sources familiar with the development revealed that President Tinubu personally directed the delegation to engage Ethiopian authorities and fast-track the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the transfer of sentenced persons.
The agreement would provide a legal framework for Nigerian prisoners currently detained in Ethiopia to be repatriated and allowed to serve the remainder of their prison terms in Nigeria.
According to officials involved in the mission, the President’s directive reflects the Federal Government’s determination to resolve a humanitarian issue that has persisted through diplomatic channels for more than three years.
One official disclosed that the urgency of the mission was informed by reports regarding the deteriorating health and living conditions of many inmates.
Concerns Over Conditions at Kaliti Prison
Most of the affected Nigerians are reportedly being held at Kaliti Prison, a maximum-security correctional facility located in Addis Ababa.
Official records from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that more than 270 Nigerians are currently serving prison terms in Ethiopia, with the majority convicted of drug-related offences.
Over the years, advocacy groups, human rights organizations, and family members have raised concerns about conditions within the prison, alleging overcrowding, inadequate medical care, food shortages, and harsh treatment of inmates.
The situation has become even more alarming following reports of multiple deaths involving Nigerian prisoners.
In March 2023, a Nigerian inmate identified as Chizoba Favour Eze reportedly died after alleged mistreatment by prison officials. Later that year, another Nigerian inmate, Uchenna Nwanneneme, reportedly succumbed to tuberculosis after allegedly receiving inadequate medical attention.
A third Nigerian prisoner, Basil Lawrence Ilobi, also died while in custody, further intensifying calls for government intervention.
A Diplomatic Issue Years in the Making
The current intervention represents the most direct involvement of President Tinubu in an issue that has attracted sustained attention from Nigerian diplomats, lawmakers, advocacy groups, and affected families.
In November 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to facilitate the return of the prisoners after concerns emerged regarding Ethiopia’s capacity to adequately care for foreign inmates.
Despite the court’s directive, progress remained slow due to delays in finalizing a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement between both countries.
Efforts intensified in April 2025 when Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu engaged Ethiopian officials and urged the immediate ratification of the proposed MOU.
At the time, she emphasized the urgency of the matter, stressing that Nigerians were deeply concerned about the recurring reports of deaths among inmates.
She noted that Nigeria had already completed its obligations under the proposed agreement and was awaiting corresponding action from Ethiopian authorities.
Ethiopia’s Delayed Ratification Process
Although Ethiopian officials consistently reaffirmed the strong diplomatic relationship between both nations, the transfer agreement reportedly remained stalled pending legislative approval.
Interestingly, Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives ratified similar prisoner transfer agreements with countries such as China and Brazil in January 2026, alongside an extradition agreement with South Africa.
This development raised expectations that the Nigerian agreement would soon receive similar approval, paving the way for the transfer of affected inmates.
Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Considerations
International prisoner transfer arrangements have long been encouraged by global institutions such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which advocates allowing convicted individuals to serve sentences in their home countries whenever possible.
Supporters argue that such arrangements improve rehabilitation outcomes, strengthen family connections, and enhance access to legal and welfare support systems.
Advocacy groups have also highlighted the circumstances surrounding some Nigerian inmates in Ethiopia, noting that many were reportedly arrested while transiting through Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest travel hubs.
Some organizations have further argued that certain detainees may have unknowingly carried prohibited substances, although such claims remain subject to legal scrutiny and judicial determination.
Hope for Families and Inmates
For the families of the affected prisoners, the Federal Government’s latest intervention offers renewed hope after years of uncertainty and frustration.
If successfully concluded, the prisoner transfer agreement could lead to one of the largest repatriation exercises involving Nigerian inmates abroad and demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of its citizens, regardless of their circumstances.
As diplomatic negotiations continue in Addis Ababa, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the long-awaited agreement finally becomes a reality and brings relief to hundreds of affected families across the country.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s decision to personally authorize high-level negotiations with Ethiopia marks a significant step toward resolving a longstanding humanitarian and diplomatic challenge. Beyond the legal implications, the initiative reflects broader efforts to ensure that Nigerian citizens serving sentences abroad are treated humanely and given opportunities for rehabilitation closer to home.
Should the negotiations succeed, the repatriation of nearly 300 Nigerian inmates could become a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s diplomatic and consular relations with Ethiopia, while providing much-needed hope to prisoners and their families.
