On the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, accompanied former President Ernest Bai Koroma on his safe, orderly and dignified return home to Sierra Leone on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
Former President Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria in January 2024 was facilitated through sustained regional diplomatic interventions and confidence-building efforts undertaken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the chairmanship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While in Nigeria, the former President was accorded all privileges befitting his status as a former Head of State, enabling him to fully engage in the diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving all outstanding issues in a manner consistent with peace, national cohesion and democratic stability in Sierra Leone.
With meaningful progress made in addressing the matters that led to the former President’s relocation, the Government of Nigeria considered that it had sufficient basis for his safe and dignified return to his country.
The Government Nigeria acknowledges and commends the constructive and sustained engagement of relevant stakeholders, including ECOWAS, the Government of Sierra Leone and other well-meaning actors, in facilitating the conditions necessary for the management of the situation and the return of President Koroma to his country.
In particular, the Government of Nigeria commends and appreciates President Julius Maado Bio, former President Ernest Bai Koroma and the good people of Sierra Leone for their goodwill, cooperation and commitment in reaching this understanding and facilitating the dignified return.
Nigeria remains confident that this development will foster national reconciliation, advance stability and consolidate democratic peace in Sierra Leone. Nigeria remains committed to promoting harmony, peace, stability, constitutional order and development in the West Africa sub-region.
