FG To Address Alarming Number Of Children In Correctional Centres

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing pressing issues within the nation’s correctional system, with a specific focus on the alarming number of children in correctional centres.

The Minister who disclosed this at an Inter-agency meeting held in Abuja to address the urgent issue of children deprived of liberty in correctional facilities also calls for a reform of Nigeria’s justice system.

He expressed concern over the presence of children in correctional centres, highlighting it as a violation of laws requiring their placement in borstal institutions and called for urgent action and penalties to address these legal and institutional gaps.

According to Dr. Tunji-Ojo, emphasis will also be placed on non-custodial measures for non-violent offenders to reduce pre-trial detentions.

The Minister highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration to tackle juvenile detention and called for active participation from state governments, as correctional services require a federation-wide approach.

He reiterated the administration’s focus on delivering results under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stressing that excuses would not be acceptable, urging all stakeholders to focus on action and measurable outcomes.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo further explained that, the 2024 report on children and young adults deprived of liberty presents a sobering reality, of an alarming 26,000 children held annually in Correctional facilities over the past five years.

He said, this figure represents over 30% of the total inmate population, raising serious concerns about violations of child protection laws.

Earlier in a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani stressed the need to promote non-custodial measures and diversion programmes as viable alternatives to detention sharing best practices and strengthening legal frameworks to ensure detention is a measure of last resort, in line with Article 37(b) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003.

Dr. Ajani emphasised that the meeting underscored that ending child detention is not just a moral obligation but a strategic investment in sustainable development, justice, and poverty reduction.

Present at the high level meeting were representatives of the Ministers of Justice; Women Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs; UNICEF and other development partners to address the urgent issue of children deprived of liberty in correctional facilities.

Nkiru Njemanze, Edited By Blessing Nyor