Tunji-Ojo also noted that the law permits states to establish their own correctional centers.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that about 67 per cent of inmates in correctional facilities across the country are awaiting trial.
He made this known on Thursday while featuring on Channels Television
programme, ‘Politics Today’.
The minister also said robust synergy between the federal and state governments is key to improving correctional services.
He noted that the law permits states to establish their own correctional centers, adding that most inmates are state offenders.
ALSO READ: Nigerian Correctional Service says about 5% of inmates are on death row
Speaking during the interview, Tunji-Ojo said, “We can work out a synergy, you know, states that want to have their own correctional centres, by law, they’re entitled to have it and federal too, but we must also understand that about 72 per cent of our inmates are state offenders and about 67 per cent or so are awaiting trials.
“So it means two-thirds are state offenders, but the Federal Government is the one taking responsibility now.
“I don’t like to shift blame. As Mr President will always say, ‘We were elected to produce results, not to make excuses.’ So we’re not here to make excuses, but as a government, we will interface with our governors. We will come together to be able to have a shared strategy towards solving these correctional problems.”
In July, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) disclosed that 4.7 per cent of inmates across custodial centres in the country are on the death row.
According to the service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Controller Abubakar Umar, out of a national inmate population of 81,558, a total of 3,833 inmates are on death row.
He said, “As at Tuesday, July 22, 2025, death row inmates are 3,833 nationwide, which make up about five per cent of the entire prison population.
“Out of this number, 3,754 are males, while 79 are females.”
