The proposed Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, 2026, was transmitted to the Senate in a presidential letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, October 27.

The bill seeks to amend the existing Transfer of Convicted Offenders (Enactment and Enforcement) Act, 2004, to facilitate the implementation of prisoner-transfer agreements between Nigeria and other countries, including nations outside the Commonwealth.

Under the proposed amendment, the President would be empowered to extend the law’s application to countries with which Nigeria has entered into relevant agreements through an order published in the Federal Gazette.

Tinubu said the amendment would enable the Federal Government to give effect to international arrangements for transferring convicted persons between jurisdictions. Following the reading of his letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative consideration.

The proposal does not automatically guarantee that every Nigerian convicted abroad can return home to serve a sentence. Any transfer would depend on the applicable agreement, the person’s eligibility and the legal requirements governing the arrangement. The bill must also pass through the legislative process before it can become law.

The development comes as Nigeria continues to engage foreign governments on criminal justice cooperation and the treatment of nationals imprisoned overseas. Nigeria and the United Kingdom signed a prisoner-transfer agreement in 2014, and both governments have continued discussions on implementing and improving the arrangement.

In a separate development, the Senate has directed a comprehensive investigation into travel agencies suspected of involvement in human trafficking and the exploitation of Nigerians in Libya.

The resolution followed the adoption of a report by joint Senate committees examining the trafficking, abuse and other human rights violations suffered by Nigerian migrants in the North African country.

Presenting the report, Senator Anthony Yaro, representing Gombe South, said the committees had consulted stakeholders, received memoranda and examined the circumstances surrounding the reported abuses before making recommendations.

The Senate directed the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to work with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the identified travel agencies.

The investigation is expected to examine recruitment activities, financial transactions and travel arrangements that may be connected to trafficking networks. The agencies have also been asked to question the directors, officers and agents of the relevant businesses to establish whether they were involved in the alleged offences.

The lawmakers called for stronger enforcement of existing anti-trafficking laws and increased funding for NAPTIP and other agencies responsible for investigations, prosecutions and victim support.

They also recommended a National Reintegration and Protection Programme for Nigerians returning from trafficking situations. The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons is expected to coordinate the proposed programme in collaboration with NAPTIP and other relevant institutions.

Under the recommendations, returning victims should receive appropriate protection and assistance to help them rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of being exploited again.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Libya through bilateral and multilateral channels to combat trafficking and promote safe and legal migration.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South, argued that Nigeria’s challenge was not simply the absence of laws against trafficking but also the need for more effective enforcement and accountability.

Akpabio, in his remarks, called for stronger deterrence against serious crimes and discussed the need for better identification and record-keeping in residential accommodation. He argued that landlords should be able to provide relevant information about tenants when law enforcement investigations require it.

The Senate’s decisions place emphasis on both disrupting suspected trafficking networks and protecting Nigerians who have experienced exploitation. The effectiveness of the measures will depend on the quality of investigations, prosecution of proven offences, cooperation with Libyan authorities and sustained support for returning victims.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia