Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that between 30 and 50 percent of offences committed across the country do not deserve imprisonment, arguing that excessive reliance on custodial sentences has significantly contributed to congestion in correctional centres.
The minister made the remarks while highlighting the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system through non-custodial sentencing, improved case management, and closer collaboration among justice sector institutions.
According to Tunji-Ojo, many offenders currently serving time in correctional facilities committed minor offences that could have been addressed through alternative punishment mechanisms such as community service, probation, fines, restorative justice, or rehabilitation programmes.
He stressed that correctional facilities should primarily house individuals convicted of serious crimes, while offenders guilty of less severe violations should be subjected to alternative correctional measures that promote rehabilitation without unnecessarily increasing prison populations.
Overcrowding Remains a Major Challenge
Nigeria’s correctional centres have long struggled with overcrowding, with thousands of inmates awaiting trial for years due to slow judicial processes, delayed investigations, and prolonged prosecutions.
Tunji-Ojo noted that addressing congestion requires reforms beyond merely expanding prison infrastructure. Instead, he said, government institutions must tackle the root causes of overcrowding by accelerating justice delivery and embracing non-custodial sentencing provided for under Nigerian law.
According to him, the Ministry of Interior has been working closely with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, security agencies, and state governments to improve efficiency within the criminal justice system.
He explained that reducing unnecessary imprisonment would not only ease pressure on correctional facilities but also lower government expenditure on inmate welfare while improving rehabilitation outcomes.
Alternative Sentencing Encouraged
The minister reiterated that imprisonment should not automatically be the default punishment for every offence.
He maintained that several categories of offenders can safely serve alternative sentences without posing risks to society.
Such measures, he said, would enable correctional authorities to dedicate more resources to managing high-risk offenders while helping minor offenders remain productive members of society.
Tunji-Ojo observed that international best practices increasingly favour restorative justice systems that focus on accountability, restitution, and rehabilitation rather than incarceration alone.
He said Nigeria must continue aligning its justice system with these global standards to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Five Percent Reduction in Correctional Population
Providing updates on ongoing reforms, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government has already achieved a five percent reduction in inmate population across correctional facilities.
He attributed the improvement largely to coordinated efforts aimed at resolving cases involving inmates held beyond legal limits, especially awaiting-trial detainees whose continued detention no longer served the interest of justice.
The exercise involved reviewing inmate records, strengthening collaboration between correctional authorities and the judiciary, and facilitating the release of eligible detainees in accordance with the law.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as evidence that institutional cooperation can produce measurable results in addressing long-standing challenges within Nigeria’s justice system.
Awaiting-Trial Inmates Dominate Correctional Centres
A major concern within Nigeria’s correctional system remains the high number of awaiting-trial inmates.
Many detainees spend months or even years behind bars before their cases are concluded, often due to delayed investigations, adjournments, lack of legal representation, or administrative bottlenecks.
Justice sector experts have repeatedly argued that prolonged pre-trial detention contributes significantly to overcrowding and undermines constitutional guarantees of fair and timely trials.
The minister acknowledged these concerns, saying reforms are being implemented to ensure cases move through the judicial system more efficiently.
He added that improving digital record management, strengthening inter-agency communication, and adopting technology-driven case tracking systems would further reduce unnecessary delays.
Correctional Reform Beyond Infrastructure
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that solving congestion cannot rely solely on constructing additional correctional facilities.
Instead, he argued that sustainable reform requires policy changes, institutional accountability, and continuous review of criminal justice procedures.
He explained that while expanding infrastructure remains important, preventing unnecessary admissions into correctional facilities offers a more lasting solution.
The minister also stressed the importance of rehabilitation programmes aimed at equipping inmates with vocational skills, education, and psychological support before reintegration into society.
According to him, correctional centres should serve as institutions of reform rather than simply places of punishment.
Stakeholders Urged to Strengthen Collaboration
Tunji-Ojo called on judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, correctional officials, legal practitioners, and policymakers to deepen collaboration in implementing justice reforms.
He noted that effective criminal justice administration depends on every institution performing its constitutional responsibilities efficiently.
The minister encouraged state governments to support initiatives that promote non-custodial sentencing and improve access to justice, particularly for vulnerable citizens unable to afford legal representation.
He added that stronger institutional cooperation would help build greater public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
Experts Support Non-Custodial Measures
Legal practitioners and criminal justice experts have consistently advocated wider adoption of non-custodial sentencing for minor offences.
They argue that imprisonment often exposes first-time offenders to hardened criminals, increasing the likelihood of repeat offending rather than rehabilitation.
Experts also note that community service, probation, restitution, counselling, and vocational training can be more effective in addressing the underlying causes of crime while reducing the financial burden on government.
Nigeria’s correctional reforms, they say, are expected to yield better long-term outcomes if accompanied by faster court processes, improved policing, expanded legal aid services, and stronger rehabilitation programmes.
Looking Ahead
As the Federal Government continues implementing reforms within the criminal justice sector, Tunji-Ojo expressed optimism that coordinated action would further reduce congestion and improve correctional administration nationwide.
He maintained that ensuring prisons accommodate only offenders who genuinely require incarceration would create a more humane, efficient, and sustainable correctional system.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising Nigeria’s correctional services while protecting public safety, promoting justice, and ensuring respect for the rule of law.
Sources:
- Federal Ministry of Interior
- Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)
- News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
