By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, has disclosed that 64 per cent of inmates in Nigerian prisons are awaiting trial.
Nwakuche stated this on Wednesday, February 11, while presenting the Service’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja.
He disclosed that as of February 9, the total inmate population stood at 80,812, out of which 51,955 are awaiting trial, while 24,913 are convicted inmates.
Nwakuche further reported that 3,850 of the inmates fall under other detention categories.
The CG further added that the Service is mandated to ensure inmates are adequately fed in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Offenders.
According to him, the NCoS received a total appropriation of N184.63 billion in 2025, covering personnel, overhead, and capital expenditure.
Of the N124.31 billion approved for personnel costs, he said N112.68 billion, representing 90.6 per cent, was released and fully utilised for salaries, pensions, and health insurance contributions under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
He said recurrent overhead releases stood at 73.7 per cent, with the last release for October 2025 made in December.
Nwakuche disclosed that from the funds released, N27.28 billion, representing 71.7 percent, was spent on inmate feeding nationwide, noting that outstanding obligations for food rations stand at N10.75 billion.
He disclosed that the service currently has a staff strength of 33,024, comprising uniformed personnel, medical professionals, and civilian employees deployed across the national headquarters, zonal formations, state commands, and custodial facilities.
He noted that many prisons across the country were built more than a century ago and have deteriorated significantly, a situation he linked to recurring jail breaks and other security breaches.
