Nigeria and Ethiopia sign pact to repatriate 100+ prisoners

Nigeria and Ethiopia signed a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, paving the way for more than 100 Nigerian nationals serving sentences in Ethiopian prisons to be repatriated to complete their terms in Nigeria. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

The delegation’s mission followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu to secure the immediate repatriation of Nigerian prisoners. Officials stated the agreement covers inmates held at Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons in Ethiopia. During the signing ceremony, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the pact is rooted in principles of humanity, justice, and cooperation between the two nations.

The minister revealed that four Nigerian prisoners died during the protracted negotiation, judicial vetting, and final ratification process for the agreement. "We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives," she said. "We are determined to bring home the living."

The welfare of Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia has been a longstanding concern, with reports over recent years highlighting overcrowded facilities...