FG Urges Ethiopia to Fast-Track Exchange of Sentenced Persons Agreement.

By Caroline Ameh

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to expedite the signing of a long-pending Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Exchange of Sentenced Persons between the two countries.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a meeting with the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Geremew Haile, on Thursday at her office in Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed deep concern over the continued delay in formalizing the agreement, despite assurances made during a prior meeting held on March 6, 2025. She emphasized that Nigeria had already revised the draft MoU to reflect Ethiopia’s observations and saw no reason for further delays.

She also conveyed the Nigerian government’s displeasure over reports of persistent harassment and embarrassment of Nigerian citizens—including those holding official and diplomatic passports—at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.

The Minister highlighted the dire conditions Nigerian inmates face in Ethiopian prisons, including lack of access to medical care, stressing that the situation poses humanitarian concerns not only for the inmates but also for the Ethiopian authorities.

She disclosed that a Nigerian had recently died in an Ethiopian prison, a development the Federal Government finds unacceptable. “Our people don’t want to hear that another Nigerian inmate died in Ethiopian prison,” she stated, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to citizen diplomacy and the welfare of its nationals abroad.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further criticized the Ethiopian Government over delays in refunding monies seized from Nigerian businessmen at Bole Airport. She recalled that during the 40th Session of the AU Executive Council in February 2022, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had granted amnesty to African travelers whose funds were confiscated for non-declaration of amounts exceeding $3,000, as required under then Ethiopian law.

According to the Minister, of the 25 Nigerians affected, only 15 had been approved for refunds under stringent conditions, with just two receiving their money so far. She cited the case of Mr. Francis Chukwuma Uzoh, whose $70,000 was seized and remains unrecovered despite his compliance with all required conditions since 2022.

“Mr. Francis has become desolate, homeless, abandoned by family, hugely indebted, and a shadow of his former self,” she lamented. She appealed for urgent action, saying, “Please, let them refund Francis his money while he is still alive, so they don’t use the money to bury him when he has gone.”

The Minister also raised issues concerning Ethiopia’s unilateral withdrawal from the visa waiver agreement for holders of official and diplomatic passports—a policy originally tied to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both nations. She expressed concern about the impact on Nigerian travelers, particularly since Addis Ababa serves as a major transit hub and Ethiopian Airlines remains a preferred carrier for many Nigerians.

In his response, Ambassador Haile clarified that the visa waiver agreement is still in effect but is awaiting ratification by the Ethiopian House of Representatives. He maintained that the embassy continues to issue visas to Nigerians with official and diplomatic passports, stating the main challenge arises with regular passport holders.

“The visa on arrival has neither been withdrawn nor abrogated,” Haile assured, reaffirming Ethiopia’s strong diplomatic ties with Nigeria. “We are very close to Nigeria. The Ethiopian Government views the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a very strategic partner.”

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for recently approving seven additional flight slots for Ethiopian Airlines on the Lagos route.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu concluded by affirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and announced that preparations are underway to host the 4th Session of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission in Abuja.