Abuja: The Federal Government has urged the Ethiopian government to expedite the signing of an agreement on the exchange of sentenced persons, as a means to enhance diplomatic ties between the two nations. This appeal was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting in Abuja with Amb. Legesse Haile, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister expressed dissatisfaction with the series of embarrassing incidents and harassment faced by Nigerians, including those holding Official and Diplomatic Passports, in Addis Ababa. She pointed out that Nigeria has addressed the Ethiopian observations in the draft Memorandum of Understanding on the Exchange of Sentenced Persons and questioned the delay in its signing, despite assurances provided by Ethiopian officials during a meeting on March 6, 2025.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu raised concerns over the conditions of Nigerian inmates in Ethiopian prisons, highlighting issues such as lack of access to medical care. She cited a recent incident where a Nigerian inmate died in an Ethiopian prison, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens and stating that such incidents should not recur.
The minister also criticized the delay in the return of funds seized from Nigerian businessmen by Ethiopian authorities, despite an amnesty granted by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, in February 2022. Of the 25 Nigerians affected, only 15 were approved for refunds, and just two have received their money back. She highlighted the case of Mr. Francis Uzoh, whose $70,000 has been withheld despite meeting all conditions for a refund. Uzoh’s situation has left him destitute and in debt.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the Ethiopian ambassador to facilitate the refund of Uzoh’s funds urgently, suggesting that it would be tragic to return the money posthumously. She also addressed the issue of visa waivers for holders of Official and Diplomatic Passports, which were tied to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement. She noted that Ethiopia had unilaterally withdrawn the waiver without notifying Nigeria, posing a significant concern given Addis Ababa’s status as a major travel hub.
Despite these challenges, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ethiopia and announced that the 4th Session of the Nigeria-Ethiopia Joint Commission would soon be convened in Abuja.
In response, Ambassador Haile clarified that the visa waiver agreement remains in place but requires ratification by Ethiopia’s House of Representatives. He confirmed that visas have been issued to Nigerians with official and diplomatic passports and indicated that problems arise only with regular passport holders. He assured that the Visa on Arrival policy has not been withdrawn and acknowledged Nigeria as a strategic partner. Haile also expressed gratitude for the additional flight slots granted to Ethiopian Airlines on the Lagos route.
