A large majority of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional facilities are still awaiting trial, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed, highlighting chronic overcrowding and systemic challenges in the country’s prison system.
NCoS Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, made the disclosure on Wednesday while presenting the Service’s 2025 budget performance and defending the 2026 estimates before the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja. He said the total inmate population as of 9 February was 80,812, with 51,955 (64 percent) awaiting trial, 24,913 convicted, and 3,850 in other detention categories.
The high number of pre-trial detainees has long been a concern, driven by delays in investigations and prosecutions, frequent court adjournments, limited legal representation for indigent defendants, and slow implementation of non-custodial alternatives. Many custodial centres now operate well beyond capacity.
Nwakuche described the NCoS as “a key component of Nigeria’s criminal justice system”, responsible for safe custody, rehabilitation, reintegration, and non-custodial measures, including adequate feeding in line with UN standards.
House Committee Chairman Chinedu Ogah (APC, Ebonyi) praised the Service’s role in national security but criticized inadequate funding, noting that many facilities were built over a century ago and are now dilapidated. He urged President Tinubu to assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill, which would empower states to establish facilities and ease pressure on federal centres.
Ogah also highlighted education programs, revealing that the National Open University of Nigeria has set up about ten study centres in prisons nationwide, including Abakaliki Correctional Centre. He said access to education has helped inmates graduate and reintegrate into society and encouraged private-sector support to reduce recidivism.
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