The Federal Government has said it will pursue prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzanian authorities as part of efforts to secure the return of the over 30 Nigerians currently serving jail terms in the East African country. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this yesterday in response to Vanguard’s enquiry on the number and welfare of Nigerians in Tanzanian prisons.
He said though Nigeria does not currently have a prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzania, the country’s new High Commissioner to Tanzania would raise the matter with Dar es Salaam authorities after presenting her letters of credence.
He noted that until a prisoner transfer agreement was signed, Nigeria had no legal framework to repatriate convicted Nigerians to serve their sentences at home.
“It’s important for you to note that currently, Nigeria doesn’t have a prisoner transfer agreement with Tanzania, but I think since we have a new High Commissioner there, after the presentation of our letters of credence, it will be one of the issues that she will take up with the Tanzanian authorities,” Ebienfa said.
“The prisoner transfer agreement is something that has to be mutually agreed, and if the terms and conditions are agreed upon about implementation, then we’ll work towards the smooth implementation to see how we can move those that have been sentenced, that are serving various terms to Nigeria to complete their sentences.”
Breakdown from the Ministry
Giving an official breakdown, Ebienfa said the issue of Nigerians in detention in Tanzania falls into three categories: convicted, awaiting trial, and arrested, “most often for immigration and drug offences.”
He said as of January 1, 2026, there were 19 convicted Nigerians in Ukonga Maximum Security Prison in Dar es Salaam, serving various terms including life imprisonment.
“Of the above stated number, two were released later on the 5th of March 2026 and the mission provided the necessary details to facilitate their return to Nigeria,” he said.
He added that a Tanzanian court had ordered the retrial of a Nigerian inmate who was previously sentenced following an appeal. According to him, the Nigerian is currently in Keku Remand Prison.
Ebienfa further stated that there is one convicted female Nigerian in Muruguru Prison, adding that as of January 2026, four Nigerians were in Segeria Remand Prison awaiting trial.
“Two of them were exploring the option of a plea bargain. The four Nigerians were married to Tanzanian spouses and they have been in custody for more than three years,” he said.
“In May 2026, a Nigerian was remanded in Kibaha Prison over alleged money laundering.”
Mission visits, new prison policy
The spokesperson explained that the High Commission of Nigeria in Dar es Salaam undertakes regular visits to the prisons as part of its consular mandate.
“In January 2026, the mission visited several of the prisons, including Ukonga and Segeria, and besides being a routine exercise, the visits coincided with a request by the inmates to the mission for visitation,” Ebienfa said.
He explained that the inmates complained about a new policy that dismantled restaurants from prison facilities and sought the Mission’s intervention.
“During the visit, the High Commissioner engaged prison officials about the points raised by the detained Nigerians and also explained the implications of the new policy.
After interactions, the inmates expressed a desire to be transferred to Nigeria to complete their sentences,” he said.
He assured that the Ministry would continue to monitor the welfare of Nigerians in Tanzanian custody through the mission in Dar es Salaam.
Over 20 in Ukonga alone – Ex-inmates raise alarm
The government’s position comes on the heels of an appeal by two Nigerians recently deported from Tanzania, who said conditions in the prisons were deteriorating and urged Abuja to act fast.
Okechukwu and Henry, who spoke separately with Vanguard, said over 30 Nigerians were currently jailed in different prisons in Tanzania, with more than 20 in Ukonga Central Prison in Dar es Salaam alone.
Okechukwu, who was deported three months ago after spending 15 years in prison, said he was among four Nigerians sentenced to 30 years for drug-related offences. “Out of the four people, one passed away in prison in 2016 while I was there. So, three of us remained,” he said.
He explained that Tanzanian law requires a convict to serve at least 20 years, noting that their release was fast-tracked in 2020 when the Tanzanian president granted a general remission that cut five years off 30-year sentences.
Henry, deported in October 2025, said he was arrested in 2016 on allegations of drug trafficking and spent six years on trial before being sentenced to life imprisonment. He was later discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal and deported.
Both men said many Nigerians were serving long terms for offences they did not commit.
“Many of our people have the same issue. Many are serving life imprisonment. Many are serving 30 years. Some have spent even 15 years there. Some have spent 10 years, 12 years, 14 years,” Henry said.
They also raised concerns about health and legal representation. “About two of the inmates now have pipes on their private parts due to sickness. Three people I told you about died of hypertension and liver problems,” Okechukwu said.
“The Tanzanian government does not provide free legal representation,” he added.
They noted that the presidential remission policy that aided the release of some inmates earlier this year had stopped and enjoined Abuja to engage Tanzanian authorities immediately.
“I assume if the Nigerian government can just go down there and seek for the citizens of Nigeria, I hope things will work out for them,” Henry said.
Inmates want transfer, cite ‘possession’ law
The ex-inmates said Tanzanian law provides for prison transfer, but the process must be initiated by the Nigerian government.
“The Tanzania government is open. According to their law, there is something called prison transfer. They can transfer the prisoners to the home country,” Henry said.
Okechukwu cited previous transfers of Nigerians from Thailand in the 1990s and from Ethiopia as precedents. He also decried Tanzania’s “possession” law, under which anyone found where drugs are discovered is arrested.
“If they come to your house and find a substance, they pick everybody, even visitors. If you don’t prove your innocence, which is always a 1 percent chance, you will be detained. That’s the problem,” he said.
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