Panel warns of severe risks in Nigerian prisons
A government-appointed panel has raised concerns about the worsening state of correctional centres across Nigeria. The panel’s report highlights widespread infrastructural decay and security lapses in prisons located in states such as Delta, Sokoto, Edo, and Kaduna. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo received the panel’s findings, which call for urgent reforms to prevent further deterioration. Bola Tinubu has also approved measures aimed at modernising the country’s custodial facilities.
What we know
- The panel’s final report was submitted to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on June 3, 2026.
- The panel was inaugurated on September 30, 2024, and conducted assessments across 23 states and the FCT.
- Many correctional buildings date back to 1919–1950, with severe structural issues like leaking roofs and broken sewage systems.
- In 2025, Bola Tinubu approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres to improve infrastructure.
- The report urges immediate intervention to address security vulnerabilities and poor living conditions in the nation’s prisons.
