Nigeria's Prisons Face Collapse Due to Infrastructural Decay

An independent investigative panel has raised alarms regarding the deteriorating conditions of correctional facilities across Nigeria, particularly in Delta and Sokoto states. The panel's final report, submitted to Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on June 3, 2026, follows an investigation initiated on September 30, 2024.

The report assessed 86 custodial facilities across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, revealing significant infrastructural inadequacies that undermine human rights and rehabilitation efforts. Facilities dating back to the colonial era, such as the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre established in 1905 and the Warri Correctional Centre from 1910, exhibit critical structural failures, including leaking roofs and broken sewage systems.

The report also highlights security vulnerabilities, such as the lack of perimeter fencing at the Kujama Farm Centre in Kaduna, which has been exposed to bandit attacks. The panel calls for urgent interventions to prevent further deterioration of custodial infrastructure.