Nigerian inmates held at AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, have welcomed the newly signed Prisoner Transfer Agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia, describing it as a major step toward reuniting them with their homeland.
The bilateral agreement, facilitated by the Federal Government through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, will allow eligible Nigerian prisoners serving jail terms in Ethiopia to be transferred to Nigeria to complete the remainder of their sentences.
The development has sparked excitement among the affected inmates, many of whom see it as an opportunity to serve their remaining custodial terms closer to their families and support systems.
The prisoners also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government for what they described as a commitment to the welfare of Nigerians living outside the country.
Sharing her reaction in a post on X on Saturday, Ojukwu said the inmates received the news with overwhelming enthusiasm and optimism.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our incarcerated nationals were ecstatic! Happiness Renewed; Hope Renewed,” she wrote.
According to the minister, the prisoners were delighted by the possibility of returning to Nigeria under the newly established transfer arrangement.
“Pure unaltered joy at the prospects of returning to their homeland for conclusion of 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 noted that the agreement reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to protecting and supporting Nigerians regardless of where they reside.
“The welfare of our citizens abroad, regardless of where they may be, is of paramount importance under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she added.
The Prisoner Transfer Agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia on correctional matters by allowing convicted persons to serve their sentences in their home countries.
The arrangement is also expected to ease the emotional and logistical challenges faced by prisoners and their families by bringing them closer together during the period of incarceration.