Nigeria’s inmate population rose to 81,710 in the second quarter of 2025, up from 69,946 in 2017, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed.
The data was published in the Nigerian Correctional Service Statistics for 2017 to Q2 2025, released on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the NBS, the increase represents a 16.82 per cent growth over the period under review.
The report covers key indicators from the Nigerian Correctional Service, including inmate population trends, correctional centre capacity, unsentenced inmates and admissions.
Lagos State recorded the highest inmate population in Q2 2025 with 9,209 inmates, despite having a correctional centre capacity of just 4,167. This resulted in an overcrowding level of 221 per cent.
Ogun State followed with 4,939 inmates, while Kano and Enugu recorded 4,667 and 3,536 inmates respectively. Kogi State had the lowest inmate population at 530, with Bayelsa and Benue recording 696 and 777 inmates respectively.
The NBS noted that the number of unsentenced inmates increased from 47,610 in 2017 to 53,790 in Q2 2025, reflecting a 12.98 per cent rise. During the same period, correctional centre capacity grew from 53,752 to 65,035, representing a 20.99 per cent increase.
The bureau further reported that Nigeria’s correctional facilities recorded 176,536 inmate admissions by the end of 2024. Cases involving remand or awaiting trial accounted for the highest number of admissions at 94,614, while condemned cases recorded the lowest at 2,883.
Analysis of offence types showed that stealing accounted for the highest number of admissions at 55,722, followed by other offences at 46,043 and armed robbery at 10,090. Bribery and corruption had the lowest admissions at 27, followed by cybercrime with 48 and smuggling with 118.
