Excitement swept through AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa after Nigerian inmates learned that they could soon return home to complete their jail terms under a new prisoner transfer agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia.
The bilateral agreement, facilitated by the Federal Government through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, will allow eligible Nigerian prisoners serving sentences in Ethiopia to be transferred to correctional facilities in Nigeria.
The development was met with jubilation among the inmates, many of whom described the agreement as a lifeline that would bring them closer to their families and support systems.
The prisoners also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for what they described as a compassionate move aimed at protecting the welfare of Nigerians living abroad.
Sharing her experience after meeting the inmates, Ojukwu said the atmosphere inside the prison was filled with excitement and renewed optimism.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our incarcerated nationals were ecstatic. Happiness renewed, hope renewed,” she wrote in a post on X.
According to her, the inmates were overjoyed at the possibility of returning to Nigeria to serve the remainder of their sentences following the signing of the transfer agreement.
She described the arrangement as a landmark achievement that reflects the government’s commitment to Nigerians regardless of where they live.
“Pure, unfiltered joy at the prospect of returning to their homeland to complete their custodial terms, courtesy of the landmark Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons we have just signed with the Government of Ethiopia,” she stated.
Ojukwu added that the welfare of Nigerians overseas remains a major priority under the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The agreement is expected to streamline the transfer of convicted persons between both countries, allowing eligible inmates to complete their sentences in their home country while maintaining closer ties with their families and communities.
