Trending 
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed concern over the imprisonment of more than 26,000 children in the country’s custodial facilities, noting that this number accounts for 30 percent of the overall inmate population in the correctional system.
Tunji-Ojo stressed the need for immediate reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system to protect vulnerable populations from experiencing unnecessary hardship. He reiterated the current administration’s dedication to resolving critical issues within the nation’s correctional framework, particularly focusing on the concerning rate of children in custodial centres.
The Minister made these comments during a senior-level inter-agency stakeholders meeting in Abuja aimed at addressing the pressing matter of children deprived of their freedom in correctional institutions.
He pointed out that having children in correctional facilities constitutes a breach of laws that mandate their placement in borstal institutions. He recognised the insufficiency of facilities and urged immediate action and consequences to remedy these legal and institutional deficiencies.
In a statement released by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Ozoya Imohimi, the Minister outlined essential reforms intended to convert correctional centres into venues for reform and rehabilitation.
He said creating a Nigerian Paramilitary Academy would guarantee that correctional staff and officers receive training in empathy and rehabilitative principles.
He also noted that there would be a focus on non-custodial options for non-violent offenders to minimize pre-trial detentions.
The Minister stressed the need for inter-ministerial cooperation to address juvenile detention and called for proactive involvement from state governments, as the correctional services require a nationwide approach.
Tunji-Ojo further elaborated that the 2024 report on children and young adults deprived of their liberty reveals a concerning reality, as approximately 26,000 children have been detained annually in correctional facilities over the past five years, adding that this figure represents more than 30% of the total prison population, raising serious concerns about breaches of child protection laws.
“The law is clear, children should not be in adult correctional centres. We will not tolerate violations of this law. There will be consequences for agencies that fail to uphold the law,” He said.
He underscored the urgency of addressing this issue, declaring that the government would investigate these violations and hold the responsible institutions accountable.
