● Kefas Akase
Abuja – The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to expedite the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Exchange of Sentenced Persons between both countries, expressing frustration over continued delays.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known during a meeting with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremew Haile, held at her office in Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.
In a press statement issued today by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister lamented the repeated embarrassment and harassment suffered by Nigerians – particularly those with official and diplomatic passports – in Addis Ababa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reminded Ambassador Haile that the Nigerian side had concluded its internal processes on the MoU, incorporating observations made by the Ethiopian government. She questioned the rationale behind the prolonged delay in signing the agreement, despite assurances provided at their previous meeting on March 6, 2025.
Expressing grave concern for the welfare of Nigerian inmates in Ethiopia, the minister noted that many were being denied medical care, which, she said, places additional strain on the Ethiopian prison system. “Our people don’t want to hear that another Nigerian inmate died in Ethiopian prison,” she warned, referencing a recent case of a Nigerian who died in custody.
She also criticized the prolonged delay in refunding monies seized from Nigerian businessmen at the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s declaration at the 40th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in February 2022, granting amnesty to African travellers whose funds were confiscated due to non-declaration above $3,000.
According to her, out of 25 affected Nigerians, only 15 cases were approved for refund, and only two individuals had received their money due to what she described as “stringent” conditions imposed by Ethiopian authorities.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu cited the distressing case of Mr. Francis Chukwuma Uzoh, whose $70,000 was seized by Ethiopian authorities in 2022. “Despite fulfilling all the conditions, Francis is yet to be refunded,” she said. “He has become desolate, homeless, abandoned by family, hugely indebted and a shadow of his former self.”
She urged the Ethiopian envoy to advocate for urgent intervention. “Let them give Mr. Francis his $70,000 back while he is still alive – so they don’t use the money to bury him when he has gone,” the minister pleaded.
She also addressed concerns surrounding the visa waiver agreement for holders of official and diplomatic passports, which she said was tied to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both nations. The minister accused the Ethiopian government of unilaterally suspending the MoU without notifying Nigeria, despite the critical role Addis Ababa plays as a transit hub and the popularity of Ethiopian Airlines among Nigerian travellers.
Nevertheless, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its bilateral relations with Ethiopia, announcing that the 4th Session of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission would soon be held in Abuja.
In his response, Ambassador Haile clarified that the visa waiver agreement remains in place but is awaiting ratification by Ethiopia’s House of Representatives. He stated that Nigerian holders of official and diplomatic passports had continued to receive visas from the Embassy.
“The visa on arrival has neither been withdrawn nor abrogated,” Haile explained. “We are very close to Nigeria. The Ethiopian Government views the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a very strategic partner.”
He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for recently approving seven additional slots for Ethiopian Airlines on the Lagos route. GMTNewsng
