The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the total number of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centres reached 81,710 in the second quarter of 2025. This figure shows an increase from 69,946 in 2017, reflecting a 16.82 per cent rise over eight years.
The data was released on Wednesday in the Nigerian Correctional Service Statistics Report (2017–Q2 2025), which also covered prison capacity, unsentenced inmates and admission figures.
According to the report, Lagos State had the highest number of inmates at 9,209. The state’s correctional centres were operating at 221 per cent capacity, far above their design limit of 4,167. Other states with large inmate populations were Ogun (4,939), Kano (4,667) and Enugu (3,536).
By contrast, some states reported low inmate numbers. Kogi State had the smallest prison population at 530 inmates, followed by Bayelsa (696) and Benue (777).
The report also shows that the number of unsentenced inmates — people held while awaiting trial — rose from 47,610 in 2017 to 53,790 by Q2 2025.
This is a 12.98 per cent increase over the period. NBS data indicates that slow court processes and legal delays remain major factors behind the high number of remand detainees.
Prison capacity has grown too, but at a slower rate than the inmate population. The official design capacity of correctional centres increased from 53,752 in 2017 to 65,035 in Q2 2025 — a 20.99 per cent rise. Despite this, many facilities remain overcrowded.
The NBS report also included admission figures for 2024. A total of 176,536 inmates entered correctional centres last year across various offences. The largest share was for remand or awaiting‑trial cases (94,614), while condemned cases had the fewest admissions at 2,883.
In terms of offence types, stealing accounted for the highest number of admissions at 55,722, followed by other offences (46,043) and armed robbery (10,090). Cases involving bribery and corruption (27), cybercrime (48) and smuggling (118) were among the lowest.
The rising inmate population and high number of unsentenced detainees highlight ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, including court delays and limited capacity to process cases quickly.
Observers say the data underscores a need for judicial reform, better legal representation for accused persons and more efficient case processing to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
