Awaiting Trial Inmates Constitute 64% Of Custodial Population Nationwide -NCoS

The Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, has revealed that awaiting trial inmates constitute 64 per cent of the total custodial population nationwide, underscoring persistent congestion and pressure on correctional facilities across the country.

Controller-General of the Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, made this known while presenting the agency’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja.

According to him, as of February 9, 2026, the total inmate population stood at 80,812. Of this figure, 51,955 are awaiting trial inmates, 24,913 are convicted inmates, while 3,850 fall under other detention categories.

On 2025 Budget Performance, the Controller-General disclosed that the Service received a total appropriation of ₦184.63 billion in 2025, covering personnel, overhead and capital expenditure.

Despite not being a revenue-generating agency, the Service realised ₦84.65 million as internally generated revenue in 2025.

On 2026 Budget Proposal, Nwakuche presented a proposed ₦198.85 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year and appealed for additional funding to address critical operational and infrastructure needs..

The Controller-General further appealed for the approval of an additional ₦90.38 billion to boost capital funding, which would raise total capital allocation to about ₦100.50 billion to address infrastructure deficits and capacity development across correctional facilities.

Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Chinedu Ogah, called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, including increased funding, improved infrastructure and presidential assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill.

Ogah described the Nigeria Correctional Service as central to national security but lamented what he termed inadequate budgetary attention despite its critical responsibilities.

He noted that many correctional facilities were built over a century ago and have deteriorated significantly, contributing to recurring security breaches and operational strains.

The lawmaker, who represents Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, urged the President to assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill already passed by the National Assembly, noting that it would strengthen constitutional provisions empowering states to establish correctional facilities and ease pressure on federal centres.

He said improved funding and decentralised infrastructure would enhance rehabilitation programmes, vocational training and agricultural initiatives, enabling facilities to function as genuine reform institutions.

Ogah highlighted ongoing efforts to expand access to education within correctional centres, revealing that about 10 study centres of the National Open University of Nigeria have been established in custodial facilities nationwide.

One such centre, he said, was developed at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre in collaboration with university authorities and correctional officials, with programmes offered free of charge to inmates.

According to him, access to education has enabled many inmates to graduate and reintegrate into society with renewed purpose and urged private sector organisations to direct corporate social responsibility initiatives toward correctional institutions to reduce recidivism and strengthen national security.

Ogah also called on the National Security Adviser to support operational requests of the Service, stressing that while other law enforcement agencies arrest and prosecute suspects, correctional authorities shoulder the responsibility of custody, rehabilitation and reintegration.

He commended correctional officers nationwide for maintaining operations under challenging conditions and disclosed that members of the National Assembly have personally supported oversight activities and interventions to address urgent needs within the system.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji