The Federal Government has revealed plans to reduce the number of correctional facilities in Nigeria. Currently, there are 256 custodial centers, but officials believe not all are necessary.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that some prisons operate at only 30% to 40% capacity. Therefore, the government is considering redistributing inmates convicted of federal crimes to underused facilities. Since every state has a Federal High Court, this move would make management more efficient.
He made these remarks during a public hearing organized by the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
Fewer Prisons, Better Management
The minister questioned the need for all 256 correctional centers. He argued that having too many facilities creates supervision challenges. As a result, it becomes harder to prevent abuse and maintain control.
“In many countries, large prisons with capacities of 3,000 inmates are common,” he said. “We must ask ourselves how many we truly need.”
Moreover, while some prisons are overcrowded, others remain underused. To fix this, he proposed transferring federal offenders to less crowded facilities.
“It may surprise you that some prisons are only 30% full, while others hold 200% of their capacity,” he added. “For this reason, we need to balance the numbers by relocating inmates where necessary.”
Ending Inhumane Treatment of Inmates
The minister also stressed the importance of humane treatment in prisons. According to him, the government will no longer tolerate abuse in custodial centers. After all, 2025 should not be run like 1825.
He explained that the way a government treats its most vulnerable citizens reflects its effectiveness. “A correctional facility should not just be a place of incarceration and punishment. Instead, it must focus on rehabilitation and reform,” he emphasized.
In addition, he urged correctional officers to uphold the dignity of inmates. “Losing freedom does not mean losing dignity,” he said. “Officers must act as agents of correction, not condemnation.”
Psychological Evaluation for Officers
Furthermore, Dr. Tunji-Ojo called for psychological assessments for correctional officers. He believes some personnel may take out personal frustrations on inmates, which is unacceptable.
“When an officer who lacks emotional stability handles vulnerable inmates, the system fails,” he warned. “For this reason, some officers need evaluation to ensure they are mentally fit for the job.”
He also challenged the investigative panel to address internal issues within the correctional system. “If the system itself is not fixed, problems will persist,” he stated.
Ultimately, he assured that the government remains committed to reforming correctional facilities, improving conditions, and ensuring fair treatment of all inmates.
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