ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday formally saw off his counterpart and longtime friend, former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma, at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as Koroma began his journey home after more than two years in Nigeria.
Jonathan announced the farewell in a post on his X account, describing the moment with evident warmth. “This morning, I had the pleasure of seeing off my dear friend and brother, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, as he begins his journey home to Sierra Leone,” he wrote.
“Nigeria was his home away from home for over two years, and I am grateful that we were able to offer friendship, support and solidarity during that period.”
Koroma, who served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018, had relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 shortly after being charged with treason and other offences linked to the November 2023 attacks in Freetown.
He initially received court permission to travel for medical treatment for up to three months but remained in Nigeria thereafter. In July 2026, Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General’s office discontinued the criminal proceedings, clearing the way for his return and confirming he was free to go home.
Jonathan noted that quiet diplomatic efforts had helped create the conditions for a safe and dignified homecoming. “Working quietly with others, we encouraged dialogue and engagement with the Sierra Leonean authorities to help create the conditions for his safe and dignified return,” he said. “As we say farewell today, I am particularly happy that he is returning home to Freetown.”
He closed with a personal message of goodwill: “President Koroma, I wish you a safe journey, peace of mind and every success in this new chapter. May your return be a moment of renewed hope and reconciliation for you, your family and the people of Sierra Leone. Safe travels, my brother. Sierra Leone welcomes you home.”
Photographs from the airport showed Jonathan accompanying Koroma, with Nigerian Foreign Ministry officials, including Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, also present for the send-off.
Koroma’s departure marks the end of a sensitive chapter in West African politics. The former leader had been under pressure following the 2023 unrest, which authorities linked to an attempted coup.
His extended stay in Nigeria was widely viewed as a form of exile facilitated by regional solidarity and ECOWAS-related engagements. Sierra Leone’s Vice President Mohamed Jukdeh Jalloh had earlier indicated that Koroma’s return was expected around the weekend after the charges were dropped.
As of Sunday afternoon, neither the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor ECOWAS had issued an official statement on the departure, though the images and Jonathan’s public remarks confirmed the event.
Koroma was expected to arrive in Freetown later the same day, where opposition All People’s Congress supporters and government officials prepared to receive him.
The send-off underscores the personal and diplomatic ties between the two former leaders and Nigeria’s role as a regional host during periods of political tension in neighbouring countries.
Jonathan, who has remained active in West African mediation and election observation efforts, framed the occasion as one of reconciliation and renewed hope for Sierra Leone.
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