The Federal Government has authorised the relocation of 29 out of Nigeria’s 256 Custodial Centres due to increasing urbanisation.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this yesterday, during the commissioning of 39 newly-acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard-booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo noted that many existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja and Ikoyi, Lagos, which were dated back to the 19th and 20th centuries, are no longer suitable for modern correctional practices.
“Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure. The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres”, he stated.
The minister emphasised the urgent need to modernise the correctional system, stating that the relocation initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance conditions for both correctional officers and inmates.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to comprehensive reforms aimed at making the correctional system more effective and rehabilitative. “We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were”, he stated, referencing significant improvements in officer promotions and welfare.
Addressing long-standing challenges in career advancement to the Minister said, “Over the past two years, more than 50,000 para-military officers have been promoted”.
Tunji-Ojo also outlined a vision for Nigeria’s para-military and correctional services, emphasising the need to place them at the centre of internal security efforts, stressing the importance of professionalising correctional services through rigorous recruitment and training in line with international standards.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed enthusiasm for the newly acquired vehicles, which include specialised units for transporting inmates to and from the court.
He further highlighted that the strengthened fleet would help address the growing issue of Awaiting Trial Persons in custody. As of February 17, 2025, the NCoS reported an inmate population of 80,066, with 66% being pretrial detainees.
