The federal government has expressed its dedication to respecting the rights and dignity of inmates in prisons, in line with the country’s constitution and international agreements.
During a special one-day discussion about the 2024 prison audit, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, shared this message.
The event took place in Abuja on a day dedicated to celebrating Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Represented by Mr. Nasiru Usman from the Ministry of Interior, Tunji-Ojo emphasized how important this dialogue is for improving the prison system in Nigeria.
“This celebration honours Nelson Mandela, who stood for peace, justice, and humanity, all ideals that should influence how we treat those in prison,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He pointed out the importance of a new prison audit report, calling it a crucial step in helping to create better policies for the correctional system.
Read also:
- Prioritize projects that will bring rapid development, Gov. Nwifuru tasks SEDC
- Southeast youths ask Tinubu to appoint Okorocha as SEDC Chairman
- 2027 polls: Pro- Tinubu group launches state chapter in Ebonyi
The minister reiterated the federal government’s pledge to uphold the rights and dignity of all incarcerated individuals.
“The Nelson Mandela Rules, which are guidelines set by the United Nations for the treatment of prisoners, play a vital role in our efforts to reform the prison system,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also praised the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for its support in improving Nigeria’s correctional facilities through training programs for prison staff and promoting alternatives to incarceration.
The acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, highlighted the importance of treating everyone with dignity and fairness, especially those who are imprisoned.
She noted that in Nigeria, over 81,000 people were in custody as of July 2025, with many of them awaiting trial.
The current prison facilities only have room for about 50,000 people, underlining the urgent need for reforms in the justice system.
The UNODC Resident Coordinator, Cheikh Toure, explained the Nelson Mandela Rules, which were updated in 2015.
He described them as a guide for treating prisoners fairly, emphasizing that imprisonment should only be used as a last resort.
Toure mentioned specific rules that encourage regular inspections of prisons and promote accountability to ensure that those behind bars are treated well.
A key moment in the discussion was the presentation of the prison audit findings by Dr. Benedict Agwu from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The report indicated that as of July 2025, Nigeria’s prisons held 81,686 inmates, with around 66 percent (about 53,713) still waiting for their trial to begin.
