Nigeria and Ethiopia have signed an agreement that will see both countries transfer prisoners between them in line with their respective laws and international obligations.

This is contained in a statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

According to the statement, the agreement was facilitated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and her Ethiopian counterpart, Mr. Gideon Timothewos, at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Addis Ababa.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, signed the agreement for Nigeria, while Ethiopia’s Minister of Justice, Ms Hanna Arayaselassie, signed for her country.

Eze said Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the Ethiopian government, describing the agreement as one founded on the principles of humanity, justice, and international cooperation.

According to her, the arrangement recognises the role of family, language, culture, and social support systems in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

“It reflects our shared understanding that correctional systems should not only punish wrongdoing but also provide opportunities for rehabilitation, reformation, and eventual reintegration into society.

“For Nigeria, the welfare and protection of Nigerian citizens abroad remain a cardinal responsibility of government, especially at a time when citizen-centred diplomacy remains a key pillar of our foreign policy,” she said.

The statement said Odumegwu-Ojukwu was expected to visit Kaliti and Aba Samuel prisons in Ethiopia later on Thursday, where about 100 Nigerians, including four women, are serving various prison terms.

It added that four Nigerian inmates died while negotiations, judicial vetting, and the ratification process leading to the agreement were ongoing.

Timothewos, according to the statement, said the cordial relations between Nigeria and Ethiopia, spanning more than six decades, should be strengthened through sustained coordination and consultations on issues of mutual interest.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Nasir Aminu, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission, among others.