On October 1, 2025, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry reported that numerous Nigerians remain imprisoned in Ethiopia due to delays in finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for prisoner transfers.
The agreement would allow convicted Nigerians to serve their sentences at home.
Nigeria’s Efforts
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated that Nigeria has completed its part of the MoU process.
“The hold-up is on Ethiopia’s side,” she said via her media aide, Magnus Eze, expressing frustration over Ethiopia’s slow response.
Prison Conditions
Over 270 Nigerians, mostly jailed for drug-related crimes, face dire conditions in Ethiopian prisons. Advocacy groups report inadequate food, poor medical care, and alleged abuse by prison officials, with some inmates suffering severe health issues like kidney stones and strokes.
Advocacy and Outcry
Onwuka Collins, head of My Dreamalive Development Foundation, called the prison conditions “inhumane” last week.
“Some Nigerians have died due to neglect. We need urgent action,” he said, highlighting cases of alleged brutality and extortion.
Tragic Losses
Two inmates, Favour Eze and Uchenna Nwanneneme, died in 2023 at Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa.
Eze reportedly suffered abuse, while Nwanneneme succumbed to untreated tuberculosis, raising alarms about detainee treatment.
Court Ruling Ignored
In November 2024, a Nigerian court ordered the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to expedite repatriation.
Ethiopia cited budget constraints for foreign inmates, but progress remains stalled.
Diplomatic Push
On April 17, 2025, Odumegwu-Ojukwu met Ethiopia’s Ambassador, Legesse Geremew Haile, pressing for faster MoU ratification.
Haile acknowledged strong Nigeria-Ethiopia ties but said the agreement awaits parliamentary approval.
Why It Matters
The delay fuels concerns about human rights abuses and Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens abroad, with families and advocates demanding swift action to save lives.
What’s Next
Nigeria continues to push Ethiopia for MoU ratification in 2025, aiming to bring detained citizens home and address prison condition concerns.
READ ALSO:
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria Maintains Visa Services Amid Shutdown
World Bank to Approve $750M Loans for Nigeria
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
