Nigerian pastor and businessman Benjamin Egbaji has been released from prison in the Republic of Benin after over two years in harsh conditions. His release on Thursday, January 8, 2026, followed a presidential pardon granted by Benin’s President, Patrice Talon.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, played a key role in securing Egbaji’s freedom through sustained diplomatic efforts, including a hospital visit in August 2025 after his health deteriorated. A widely circulated photo of Egbaji chained to a hospital bed had sparked national outrage.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the release as a “result of consistent and determined diplomatic action,” praising President Bola Tinubu’s citizen-focused foreign policy. She confirmed that Egbaji is in high spirits but will require proper medical care after his ordeal.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Benin also lauded the minister’s intervention, calling it a model of commitment to the welfare of Nigerians abroad and urging further diplomatic efforts for other citizens detained overseas.
