Nigeria’s Federal Government has unveiled ambitious plans to significantly reduce the number of correctional facilities across the country, citing inefficiencies and uneven distribution of inmates as key factors driving the reform. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed these plans during a public hearing focused on alleged corruption and human rights violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Speaking at the event organized by the Independent Investigative Panel in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister questioned the necessity of maintaining the current 256 custodial facilities nationwide. How many correctional centers do we even need? It is part of what you should cover in Nigeria,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated during his address to the committee and other stakeholders.
“Realistically speaking, do we need 256 correctional centers that we have? The answer is no,” the minister emphasized. He explained that the excessive number of facilities creates unnecessary administrative burdens, complicating effective supervision and control mechanisms. The more correctional centers, the more pressure and stress in terms of supervision and control. And when there is problem of supervision and control, abuse becomes inevitable.”
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s correctional system, which has faced persistent criticism regarding overcrowding, poor living conditions, and alleged human rights abuses. The minister’s comments suggest a strategic shift toward consolidation rather than expansion of the prison network.
Central to the government’s concern is the stark disparity in facility utilization across the country. While some correctional centers struggle with severe overcrowding, operating at approximately 200% capacity, others remain significantly underutilized, with occupation rates as low as 30-40%. This imbalance points to systemic inefficiencies in prisoner distribution and resource allocation.
To address these disparities, the government is proposing a redistribution of inmates, particularly those convicted of federal offenses. “If there are criminals, if they are federal offences, there is federal jurisdiction. If I am not wrong, federal jurisdiction is everywhere, federal high court,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted, suggesting that federal prisoners could be strategically relocated to less crowded facilities.
The minister highlighted that this approach represents a practical short-term solution to alleviate overcrowding in the most affected facilities. “Can we critically look and analyse every correctional centre and look at those who have committed federal offences and move them to less populated areas?” he asked. “Those are short-term gains that we can do like now and be able to reduce the space.”
Beyond addressing immediate capacity issues, the proposed consolidation aims to improve oversight and reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse within the system. The minister delivered a stern warning about the treatment of inmates, emphasizing that inhumane conditions would not be tolerated in 2025. This statement signals a broader commitment to reform beyond mere structural changes.
Criminal justice experts have long advocated for a more efficient correctional system in Nigeria. Professor Abubakar Mohammed, a criminologist at the University of Abuja, explains: “The current sprawling network of facilities creates unnecessary administrative overhead and makes consistent standards difficult to maintain. Consolidation could potentially lead to better conditions and more effective rehabilitation programs if properly implemented.”
The proposed reforms align with global trends in correctional administration, where many countries have moved toward larger, more modern facilities with enhanced capacity for rehabilitation programs. However, the transition presents significant logistical challenges, including transportation of inmates, redeployment of staff, and potential resistance from communities currently hosting correctional facilities.
Human rights organizations cautiously welcomed the announcement while emphasizing the need for comprehensive reform. While consolidation may address some administrative inefficiencies, it must be accompanied by fundamental improvements in conditions, respect for human rights, and a shift toward rehabilitation rather than mere containment,” noted Adebayo Ogunlesi of the Civil Liberties Organization.
The economic implications of the proposed consolidation are substantial. Maintaining numerous underutilized facilities represents a significant drain on the correctional service’s budget. By concentrating resources in fewer, more efficiently managed facilities, the government potentially stands to realize considerable cost savings while improving service delivery.
However, critics have raised concerns about potential job losses and the economic impact on communities where facilities might be closed. The Nigerian Correctional Service remains one of the largest employers in many rural areas, and facility closures could have ripple effects throughout local economies.
The minister’s announcement also comes against the backdrop of ongoing judicial reforms aimed at reducing the population of awaiting-trial inmates, who constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s prison population. Pre-trial detention alternatives and expedited court processes are being explored as complementary measures to address overcrowding.
Security analysts have noted that the redistribution of federal inmates across facilities requires careful planning to avoid creating new security challenges. “The consolidation of certain inmate populations could potentially create flashpoints if rival groups are concentrated in the same facilities,” warned security consultant Ibrahim Musa. “Thorough risk assessment must precede any transfers.”
As the government moves forward with these plans, stakeholders across the criminal justice system are calling for transparent implementation and ongoing evaluation of outcomes. The success of the initiative will likely depend on comprehensive planning, adequate resource allocation, and sustained political will to address the root causes of Nigeria’s correctional system challenges.
While the minister did not provide a specific timeline for the implementation of these reforms, his reference to standards for 2025 suggests that the government is working toward relatively near-term changes. As the process unfolds, it will represent one of the most significant restructurings of Nigeria’s correctional system in recent decades.
