THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that 53,473 prisoners are awaiting trial across the country’s custodial centres, with 3,833 inmates currently on death row.
This information was disclosed in a document released during the national joint security press briefing at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) headquarters in Abuja on Monday, detailing the state of the correctional system as of July 24, 2025.
The NCoS reported a total inmate population of 81,558, comprising 79,615 males and 1,943 females. Of this number, 24,252 are convicted inmates, while the remaining await trial or face other legal statuses.
The service also noted that it supervises 476 non-custodial offenders and has recorded 3,026 new admissions and 3,347 discharges during the review period.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s correctional system, particularly the high number of awaiting trial inmates, which constitutes a significant portion of the population.
To enhance identity management and security within custodial centres, the NCoS has enrolled over 60,000 inmates on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database, a move aimed at improving tracking and reducing impersonation.
“In line with the expansion of non-custodial measures, the Service now supervises more than 6,000 offenders under community service, probation, restorative justice, and related regimes,” the document stated, reflecting a shift towards alternative sentencing that aims to reduce overcrowding and focus on rehabilitation.
The NCoS also emphasized its role in justice delivery through collaboration with state chief judges to facilitate jail delivery exercises, which aim to expedite case resolutions for awaiting trial inmates.
Additionally, the service has actively participated in prerogative of mercy committees across several states, offering technical guidance on clemency and pardon processes. These efforts are part of broader initiatives to address the backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.