‘We Have Not Deserted You,’ President Assures Inmates as Over 100 Nigerians Set for Repatriation Under Landmark Bilateral Agreement
By A1NEWS International Diplomatic Affairs Desk
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia / ABUJA, Nigeria — June 15, 2026
In a significant demonstration of Nigeria’s evolving citizen diplomacy policy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerian nationals serving prison terms in Ethiopia that the Federal Government has not abandoned them, following the signing of a landmark prisoner transfer agreement between both countries.
The assurance was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a visit to Nigerian inmates at Aba Samuel Prison in Ethiopia, where she formally informed them of a newly concluded Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement that will allow eligible prisoners to return home and complete their jail terms in Nigeria.
The development marks one of the most notable diplomatic interventions involving Nigerian citizens abroad in recent years and reflects growing efforts by the Tinubu administration to balance citizen welfare with international legal obligations.
Landmark Agreement Signals New Phase in Citizen Diplomacy
The agreement, signed in Addis Ababa by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, provides the legal framework for the transfer of convicted prisoners between the two countries.
The pact was facilitated through diplomatic engagements led by the foreign ministries of both nations and aligns with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D foreign policy framework of Diplomacy, Democracy, Development and Demography.
Addressing the inmates, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and reassurance.
“We have not deserted you,” she told the prisoners, emphasizing that while Nigeria expects its citizens abroad to respect the laws of their host countries, the government remains committed to protecting their rights and welfare within the limits of international law.
According to Ethiopian prison authorities, approximately 98 Nigerian inmates—among them two women—are currently eligible for consideration under the agreement.
Four Nigerians Died During Negotiations
The prisoner transfer arrangement comes amid revelations that at least four Nigerian inmates died in Ethiopian prisons while negotiations for the agreement were ongoing.
The disclosure, made by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, underscored the urgency that surrounded efforts to finalize the humanitarian initiative.
Officials noted that the agreement was founded on principles of justice, rehabilitation, human dignity and bilateral cooperation.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said legal vetting, diplomatic consultations and procedural reviews prolonged the process before the final agreement was reached.
The deaths have also raised concerns among human rights advocates regarding the welfare of incarcerated foreign nationals and the speed at which consular interventions are executed.
Conditions for Transfer and Repatriation
Under the terms of the agreement, not all inmates will automatically qualify for transfer.
Ethiopian authorities explained that eligible prisoners must voluntarily consent to the transfer process and have at least one year of their sentence remaining before they can be repatriated.
The Foreign Affairs Minister urged inmates to cooperate fully with prison authorities and complete the necessary documentation required for their transfer.
“We need your consent. The formal documentation indicating your willingness to return to Nigeria is essential to facilitate the process,” she explained.
Diplomatic officials said the transfer mechanism complies with international standards governing the movement of convicted persons between sovereign states.
Government Warns Against Future Criminal Conduct
While offering hope to the inmates, the Nigerian government made it clear that the repatriation arrangement should not be interpreted as tolerance for criminal behavior.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that the agreement was not a license for impunity and urged Nigerians abroad to avoid activities that could place them in conflict with the law.
She emphasized rehabilitation, self-improvement and lawful conduct as pathways to rebuilding lives after incarceration.
“Do not travel these routes again,” she cautioned.
“Your families have suffered, your country has suffered, and you have suffered. When you return home, chart a new path.”
The minister further disclosed that the government is exploring opportunities for vocational training, skills acquisition and reintegration support to help returnees rebuild productive lives upon completion of their sentences.
Nigerian Correctional Service Prepares for Returnees
Representing the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Assistant Controller-General Aminu Yusuf assured the inmates that arrangements had already begun for their reception and processing in Nigeria.
According to him, transferred inmates would initially be received at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja before being relocated to facilities closer to their families where appropriate.
He explained that the Controller-General possesses statutory authority to determine correctional placements based on operational and humanitarian considerations.
The announcement was greeted with visible excitement among inmates, many of whom reportedly broke into songs and expressions of gratitude upon hearing that they could soon return home.
Emotional Reactions and Renewed Hope
Witnesses described emotional scenes inside Aba Samuel Prison as inmates celebrated the agreement and expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government, President Tinubu, the Foreign Affairs Minister and legal representatives who facilitated the process.
Their spokesperson reportedly pledged that beneficiaries of the programme would maintain good conduct and embrace rehabilitation opportunities upon their return to Nigeria.
For many of the prisoners, the agreement represents more than a legal transfer; it symbolizes renewed hope, family reunification and a second chance at rebuilding their lives.
The Broader Significance of the Ethiopia-Nigeria Deal
Analysts view the prisoner transfer agreement as an important milestone in Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly its commitment to citizen-centered diplomacy.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that while citizens must be accountable for their actions abroad, governments also have obligations to ensure their nationals are treated fairly and humanely within foreign legal systems.
The agreement could also serve as a model for similar bilateral arrangements with other countries hosting large numbers of Nigerian inmates.
Human rights advocates have long argued that prisoner transfer agreements can contribute to rehabilitation by allowing offenders to serve sentences closer to family support networks and within familiar cultural environments.
Under the agreement, 136 inmates in Ethiopia will be transferred to Nigeria to complete their prison sentences.
They are:
1 Anazoba Linus Okigbo
2 Ejike Cyril Edeme
3 Charles Ofor Damijo
4 Nnaemeka Charles Maduagwu
5 Chukwudalu Clinton
6 Eze Paul Oluchi
7 Kingsley Ebuka Udeigbo
8 Okoyeagu Kosisochukwu Leonard
9 Ozoemena Christian Chukwuemeka
10 Ifeanyi Joseph Izuako
11 Ephraim Chetachukwu Onyeanusi
12 Segun Judge Hunkarin
13 John Osahon
14 Chinonso Sabastine Nwankwor
15 Ani Christopher Sunday
16 Kingsley Ikechukwu Nwoke
17 Joakin Uchenna Nwanneneme
18 Chigozie Victor Madu
19 Babatunde Moshood
20 Cajethan Tochukwu Okafor
21 John Obi Simon
22 Charles Igwe
23 Ubaka Walter Ezekwe
24 Onwunali Promise
25 Ogbonna Eric Buchi
26 Chetachi James Uche
27 Peter Imhanlulobe
28 Bobby Martins Chukwuemeka
29 Ogu Promise Ifeanyi
30 Emeka Okoye Chibuzor
31 Sunday Edeh
32 Obinna Joseph
33 Anayo Eva Ejiofor
34 Chinonso Basil
35 Simon Chetachukwu Obed
36 Samuel Arinze Ezemba
37 Remigus Anikwe
38 Adeyemi Abdulrafin Adeyemi
39 Christopher Hope Agboma
40 Oliver Ifeanyi Nweke
41 Nnayelu Obinna Onuohukwu
42 Chibuize Casmir Nnabugwu
43 Loyal Chuks Gabriel
44 Chidi Johnson
45 Celestine Arinze Anajemba
46 Abraham Chizoba Bah
47 Enwerem Wisdom Emeka
48 Kingstar Onuoha Ndu
49 Emeka Adolphus Dunofor
50 Daniel Ibrahim
51 Emmanuel Nnajekwu Onwumaeze
52 Ejimonu Justin Chibuzor
53 Ugochukwu Okpara
54 Ezekwi Chizoba Christopher
55 Onyeabuchi Jude
56 Izuchukwu Peter Uzoukwu
57 Anayo Christopher Okari
58 Felis Prosper Ejim
59 Ifeanyi Timothy Nwaiwu
60 Gideon Chukwuma Ik Wedu
61 Everest Aguguo
62 John Uchechukwu Ugo
63 Obioha Linus Onwuji
64 Okonkwo Joshua Ikedichukwu
65 Christopher Ndu A.
66 Ezekwu Johnson Ide
67 Vincent Dike
68 Amachi Okafor
69 Michael Chibuize
70 Chikezie Luis Okoye
71 Eze Sunday Celestine
72 Ekwutosi Basil Agbomuo
73 Pascal Ikenna Godwin Amanze
74 Alexander Uzochukwu Azalangha
75 Onuoha Joseph Arinze
76 Oparango Chigozie Michael
77 Patrick Tochukwu Amaobi
78 Unachukwu Hossana Ugochukwu
79 Enyeribe Mathew Odoemna
80 Ugwu C. Michael
81 Christian Odinaka Ofuefule
82 Ajani Chikezie
83 Okwudili John Ozongwu
84 Uchegbu Chimeziri Maximus
85 Vitus Ejike Eneh
86 Godwin Onyemachi
87 Nwosu Ifeanyi
88 Chukwuagozie Clement
89 Henry Nwabueze Ojukwu
90 Igwild Sunday Chukwuma
91 Ezeakalu Samson Chibuike
92 Obinna Salvation
93 Omoje Festus Ogiofor
94 Basil Lawrence Igbo
95 Okafor Livinus Edochie
96 Amaefuna Humphrey Amechi
97 Akwaeze Ndubisi Prter
98 Gabriel Odunukwe
99 Okafor Chidiebere Franklin
100 Godwin Chidiebere Oragini
101 Michael Ezekafor
102 Nweke Kaddimma Francis
103 Ononalu Onyeka Daniel
104 Ndubisi Paul
105 Kenenna Anthony
106 Obioha Aloysius A.
107 Binna Iwoha Sampson
108 Ikedigbo Ifeanyi Onyebuchi
109 Stanley Jude Odoh
110 Ezenna Izuchukwu Kingsley
111 Nnaike Ndubisi Batholomew
112 Nhanna Theophilus Ezevuo
113 Ekene Urama
114 Ogwu Philip Ozoemene
115 Nwaduba Ndubisi Samuel
116 Ezeji Patric Uchechukwu
117 Chukwunonso Henry Umuofekwen
118 James Chukwujekwu Mmuozoba
119 Joseph Emeka Okoye
120 Hidozie Osita Sunday
121 Damian Chijioke Agbasianya
122 Emmanuel Ifeanyi
123 Franklin Chisom Amadi
124 Okechukwu Mbaekwu
125 Smith Denis
126 Ifeanyichukwu Samuel
127 Christian Kenechi Ezenna
128 Chinedu Samuel Matthew
129 Victor Kelechi Uwandu
130 Emmanuel Aham
131 Chimezie Victor Amasiani
132 Chinedu Marcel Anyanwu
133 Basil Akimbo Nnouseh
134 Nwachukwu Paul Udechukwu
135 Nonso Josiah Onyebuchi
136 Udochukwu Anselem Anyanwu
The Ethiopia-Nigeria Prisoner Transfer Agreement marks a major diplomatic breakthrough and a significant humanitarian intervention for dozens of Nigerians serving prison terms abroad. While the Federal Government continues to emphasize respect for foreign laws and personal accountability, the initiative demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that Nigerian citizens are not forgotten, even in the most difficult circumstances.
As preparations begin for the repatriation of eligible inmates, the agreement stands as both a diplomatic achievement and a reminder of the importance of balancing justice, rehabilitation and national responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world.
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