FG Reports Sharp Decline in Prison Recidivism Rates

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a substantial decrease in the rate of ex-convicts returning to prison, a development credited to ongoing reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service. Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed on Wednesday that recidivism has sharply declined over the last three years. He stated that the number of repeat offenders fell from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, and further to 1,382 in 2025. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that while this trend shows reforms are effective, the administration's goal is the complete elimination of recidivism. He also provided statistics for May 2026, noting that 15,632 inmates were admitted to custodial centers nationwide, while 14,190 were released through various legal and administrative channels. To ensure the sustained implementation of recommendations from an investigative report on the correctional system, a Monitoring and Evaluation Committee will be established. The Minister urged state governments to cooperate in relocating correctional facilities that have become unsuitable due to urban expansion. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, added that the investigative panel had inspected 86 custodial centers across 23 states to assess conditions and operational standards. These reforms are part of a broader strategy to reposition correctional services toward rehabilitation and reintegration, aiming to reduce reoffending.

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According to him, the number of repeat offenders fell from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, and further declined to 1,382 in 2025, describing the trend as evidence that ongoing reforms are yielding results.