Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that 93 percent of individuals held in Nigerian prisons are state-level offenders, with federal cases accounting for only 7 percent. Speaking at a conference in Abuja organized by the UNODC and the African Correctional Services Association, the minister emphasized that a large portion of these detainees are incarcerated for minor issues that do not justify jail time.
To address prison overcrowding, Tunji-Ojo initiated an audit shortly after taking office to identify those imprisoned for unpaid fines or compensation under 500,000 Naira. This effort resulted in the release of over 4,000 people in a single day, effectively reducing the national prison population by 5 percent. The minister argued that the cost of feeding these inmates far outweighed their minor financial debts, making their continued detention illogical and expensive for the government.
Highlighting the success of new rehabilitation strategies, the minister noted a significant decline in recidivism, which dropped from 13,000 cases in 2023 to just 1,000 the following year. This improvement is linked to increased access to education, with thousands of inmates now enrolled in vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. Furthermore, Nigeria has avoided any jailbreaks or attacks on correctional facilities for three consecutive years, a success credited to better data sharing between security agencies and enhanced biometric tracking.
Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, reiterated the commitment to modernizing the prison system through the 2019 Correctional Service Act. He emphasized that proper inmate classification and the integration of technology are essential for improving safety, rehabilitation outcomes, and institutional accountability across the continent.
