ABUJA, October 7, 2025 – Pastor Benjamin Egbaji health condition has raised serious concern within the Federal Government of Nigeria, prompting a diplomatic appeal to the Republic of Benin for his immediate evacuation and medical treatment in Nigeria. The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed deep worry over the deteriorating state of the Nigerian cleric and businessman, who has been detained in Cotonou under harsh conditions for nearly two years.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Federal Government of Nigeria expressed deep concern over the failing health of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian national currently facing trial and serving a custodial sentence in the Republic of Benin. The government called for his immediate evacuation to Nigeria to receive adequate medical care.
Pastor Egbaji, a cleric and businessman from Cross River State, has reportedly been confined for almost two years in a Cotonou hospital under what officials describe as dehumanising conditions. His health, according to diplomatic sources, has continued to deteriorate despite several interventions.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who has been monitoring the situation, confirmed that the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou has consistently reported a steady decline in Egbaji’s condition. She urged the Benin authorities to act urgently on humanitarian grounds.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the Nigerian government, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its citizen diplomacy thrust, has made spirited efforts to secure Egbaji’s release or transfer for better treatment. She emphasised that every Nigerian life remains a priority under the current administration.
The Minister, who personally visited Pastor Egbaji in early August alongside her Beninese counterpart, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, disclosed that the Ministry had formally requested that the cleric be allowed to continue his treatment and serve out his sentence in Nigeria.
She expressed Nigeria’s disappointment with the slow pace of the Benin authorities in addressing the humanitarian concerns surrounding the case. “We are worried about the delay in response, especially as every day counts in saving his life,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
Recalling the long-standing friendship and cultural ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, she appealed to the Beninese government to demonstrate compassion and goodwill by granting the transfer request. “Ours is a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and shared values,” she said.
In a follow-up diplomatic letter to the Government of Benin, the Minister reiterated Nigeria’s position. She wrote: “It is against this backdrop of solidarity and mutual goodwill that I seek Your Excellency’s kind consideration regarding the plight of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been serving a 10-year sentence in Cotonou since October 2023.”
Highlighting Egbaji’s longstanding contributions to the Beninese community, Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the cleric had lived in the country for over three decades, serving both as an entrepreneur and community leader before his incarceration. “Regrettably, his health has deteriorated severely while in detention,” she lamented.
She further revealed that two independent medical experts appointed by the Beninese court have recommended his immediate transfer abroad for urgent medical care, as local interventions have failed. “In the spirit of friendship and in recognition of the humanitarian imperative, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria,” the Minister appealed.
The Nigerian government, she assured, is ready to ensure that Pastor Egbaji continues to serve his custodial term under the supervision of Nigerian correctional authorities. “This would not only be a testament to our bilateral understanding but also a practical demonstration of our shared humanity,” she said.
Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, signed the release, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of its citizens wherever they are across the world.
Focus Keyword: Pastor Benjamin Egbaji health condition
