By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — The Federal Government on Wednesday said recidivism within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dropped sharply from 11,616 in 2023 to 1,382 in 2025, attributing the decline to ongoing rehabilitation and reformation programmes under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during the presentation of an investigative report on the correctional system, describing the trend as evidence of improving outcomes in Nigeria’s penal reforms.
“Recidivism was 11,616 when we came in in 2023 but in 2025 it came down to 1,382. It means our reformation programmes are bearing fruits,” the minister said.
He added that 15,632 inmates were admitted into correctional facilities in May 2026, while 14,190 were released under various legal provisions within the same period.
According to data presented at the event, recidivism has shown a steady year-on-year decline—from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, and 1,382 in 2025—though the minister stressed that government would not consider the system successful until the figure reaches zero.
“For us, not until recidivism gets to zero, we cannot say we have succeeded,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He also pledged that the findings of the investigative panel would be fully implemented, noting that a monitoring and evaluation framework would be set up to drive reforms across custodial centres nationwide.
“This report will not gather dust on the shelves,” he said, adding that some correctional facilities would be relocated due to urban expansion and safety concerns.
The minister listed facilities in Suleja, Ikoyi, Enugu, Abakaliki, Ibadan and Lagos as locations requiring relocation or restructuring, citing proximity to residential and commercial areas as a major concern.
Tunji-Ojo also called for stronger collaboration with state governments, noting that about 90 per cent of inmates are state offenders while 67 per cent are awaiting trial.
He urged Attorneys-General across states to adopt non-custodial sentencing options to reduce overcrowding in prisons, stressing that existing provisions under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act were underutilised.
On welfare, the minister confirmed that President Tinubu had approved a 50 per cent increase in inmate feeding allowances, which has already taken effect.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said the investigative committee visited 86 custodial centres across 23 states during its assignment, while Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, said the exercise reinforced the need to uphold inmate dignity and accountability within the system.
The report followed earlier concerns raised by the ministry over rights violations and operational gaps within correctional centres, which prompted the nationwide review.
