Former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma, has returned to his home country after spending more than two and a half years in Nigeria, marking the end of a regional diplomatic process led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the development as both emotional and historic, recalling the events surrounding Koroma’s departure from Nigeria on Saturday, September 6, 2026.
In a post shared after the trip, Ojukwu said she joined former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in accompanying Koroma back to Sierra Leone to ensure what she described as his “safe and dignified return.”
She wrote: “It was an emotional journey yesterday 6th Sept. 2026, and also a historic moment. After two and half years of exile in Nigeria, former Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma was finally returning to his home country.”
According to her, former President Goodluck Jonathan was also present at the airport to bid Koroma farewell before his departure.
Ojukwu added: “His dear friend, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was at the Airport to bid him farewell.”
She further stated: “I was honoured, with former President of Nigeria, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo to accompany and ensure the safe and dignified return of former President Ernest Koroma to his country.”
Describing the reception in Sierra Leone, the minister said: “The atmosphere was electric and charged with jubilation as our plane touched down in Sierra Leone.”
The Federal Government said Koroma’s return was facilitated by Nigeria following sustained diplomatic engagements carried out alongside ECOWAS.
According to Ojukwu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the development represented the successful completion of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building initiative.
She noted that Koroma relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 following mediation efforts by ECOWAS aimed at promoting peace, political stability and dialogue in Sierra Leone during Tinubu’s tenure as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The minister said the mediation process helped improve understanding between Sierra Leone’s incumbent President, Julius Maada Bio, and Koroma, creating conditions that paved the way for the former leader’s return.
She also commended Koroma’s conduct throughout his stay in Nigeria, saying he demonstrated restraint, statesmanship and a commitment to a peaceful resolution of the issues that led to his relocation.
Ojukwu added that Nigeria appreciates ECOWAS and other stakeholders whose contributions helped resolve the situation.
She said the Federal Government also expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio, former President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation and commitment to peace throughout the process.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability, expressing confidence that Koroma’s return would further strengthen reconciliation, peace and stability in Sierra Leone.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow The Eagle Times Nigeria on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
