Ogunyemi Ibukun Victoria
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised alarm over the staggering number of minors incarcerated in the country’s correctional facilities, revealing that over 26,000 children—30% of the total inmate population—are currently detained.
Speaking at a high-level inter-agency stakeholder meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister condemned the widespread detention of minors in adult correctional centres, stressing that it violates Nigeria’s child protection laws, which mandate the placement of juvenile offenders in borstal institutions designed for rehabilitation.
“Approximately 26,000 children are held in correctional facilities annually, representing over 30% of the total inmate population. This statistic raises serious concerns regarding child protection laws,” Tunji-Ojo stated in a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior’s Director of Press, Ozoya Imohimi.
In response, the minister announced plans to establish a Nigerian Paramilitary Academy to equip correctional officers with specialized training in rehabilitation, child-sensitive management, and alternative sentencing strategies.
He also emphasized the urgent need for non-custodial measures for non-violent juvenile offenders, proposing alternative sentencing methods such as community service, probation, and counseling programs.
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Tunji-Ojo urged state governments to actively participate in juvenile justice reforms, calling for improved coordination between the judiciary, correctional services, and child welfare agencies to align with international best practices.
His remarks have reignited debates among legal experts, child rights activists, and policymakers, with growing demands for immediate legislative action to protect children from unjust incarceration.
The federal government is set to engage key stakeholders in the coming weeks to develop a comprehensive framework that ensures Nigeria’s correctional policies adhere to global human rights standards.