Nigeria Sees Major Drop in Prison Recidivism Rates

The Federal Government of Nigeria reported a sharp decline in prison recidivism rates, attributing this improvement to ongoing rehabilitation reform programs within the Nigerian Correctional Service. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, disclosed this information during a presentation of an investigative report on the correctional system in Abuja.

The recidivism rate fell from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, with a further decline to 1,382 in 2025. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the administration would not consider the system a success until recidivism is completely eliminated, stressing the need to sustain rehabilitation and reintegration programs.

The report revealed that 15,632 inmates were admitted to custody centers across the country, while 14,190 inmates were released during the same period. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, mentioned that an investigative panel inspected 86 custody centers across 23 states as part of efforts to assess operational standards and conditions within the correctional system.