Nigeria and Ethiopia have signed a landmark prisoner transfer agreement aimed at promoting rehabilitation, humanitarian cooperation, and the welfare of citizens serving prison terms outside their home countries.
Nigeria and Ethiopia have signed a landmark prisoner transfer agreement that will enable both countries to transfer convicted inmates between their jurisdictions in accordance with domestic laws and international obligations.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Addis Ababa as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the welfare and rehabilitation of citizens serving prison sentences abroad.
According to a statement issued by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the agreement was facilitated by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Ethiopian counterpart, Gideon Timothewos, at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for the Ethiopian government.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the Ethiopian government, describing the prisoner transfer agreement as a framework built on the principles of humanity, justice, and international cooperation.
She noted that the arrangement acknowledges the critical role of family ties, language, cultural familiarity, and social support systems in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
According to the minister, modern correctional systems should not only focus on punishment but also create opportunities for reform, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration into society.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the interests and welfare of its citizens abroad, stressing that citizen-centred diplomacy remains a core pillar of the country’s foreign policy.
The statement disclosed that the minister was expected to visit Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons in Ethiopia later on Thursday, where approximately 100 Nigerians, including four women, are currently serving various prison sentences.
It also revealed that four Nigerian inmates died while negotiations, judicial reviews, and ratification processes leading to the agreement were still underway.
In his remarks, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gideon Timothewos emphasized that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, which spans more than six decades, should continue to be strengthened through regular consultations and cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
The signing ceremony was attended by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Nasir Aminu, alongside representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission, and other senior government officials.
The prisoner transfer agreement is expected to enhance judicial cooperation between both countries while providing eligible inmates with opportunities to serve their sentences closer to their families and support networks, thereby improving prospects for rehabilitation and reintegration.
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