Nigerians Remain in Saudi Prisons After Serving Jail Terms Over Unpaid Fines — Envoy

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Yakubu Gambo, has expressed concern that several Nigerians remain in Saudi prisons and detention centres despite completing their prison sentences because they are unable to settle outstanding court-imposed fines.

The ambassador disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Officer, Violet Nwosu, Gambo said the welfare of Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia has remained one of his administration’s top priorities since assuming office.

He explained that the Nigerian Mission has also directed all Nigerian associations in Saudi Arabia to operate under a unified umbrella organisation to improve coordination and enable the embassy to engage more effectively with citizens on issues affecting the diaspora community.

The ambassador noted that one of the most pressing challenges facing the mission involves Nigerians in correctional facilities, particularly those who have completed their custodial sentences but remain incarcerated because they cannot pay fines imposed by Saudi courts.

He stressed that resolving such cases has become a key humanitarian concern for the Nigerian Mission.

Gambo also sought to correct the perception that Nigerians in Saudi Arabia are largely associated with criminal activities, pointing out that many citizens have built successful and respectable careers across various sectors.

According to him, Nigerian professionals, including doctors, engineers, teachers, artisans and business owners, continue to make meaningful contributions to Saudi society, while many Nigerian families have lived peacefully in the Kingdom for decades.

Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Muazam I.J. Nayaya, also highlighted the increasing demand for consular services, revealing that embassy officials issue dozens of emergency travel certificates every day to Nigerians in detention who wish to return home after their release.

He commended NiDCOM for supporting the resolution of several consular cases, including that of Nigerian national Suleiman Alufa.

Responding, Dabiri-Erewa assured the delegation that NiDCOM would continue collaborating closely with the Nigerian Mission to improve the welfare of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

She welcomed the decision to unify Nigerian associations in the Kingdom, describing it as an important step toward strengthening communication between the government and the diaspora.

Dabiri-Erewa also encouraged Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia to register on NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal, saying accurate records would improve government planning, policy implementation and citizen engagement.

She added that greater attention should be given to celebrating the achievements of law-abiding Nigerians abroad, whose positive contributions often receive less publicity than reports of criminal cases.