No fewer than 3,590 inmates across custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row, the Nigeria Correctional Service has revealed.

NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections Abubakar Umar, made this known while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

Umar stated that the total number of inmates in centres across the country is 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females, as of September 3, 2024.

The NCoS spokesman put the total number of Awaiting Trial Inmates at 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.

“The breakdown according to their categories is as follows: convicted inmates are 21,900, comprising 21,519 males and 381 females, while lifers are 1,501, comprising 1,478 males and 23 females.

“The total number of inmates on death row is made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590,” he said.

Umar explained that the majority of inmates in custody are awaiting trial persons, which poses a significant challenge for the service due to their high numbers.

He, however, assured that the Service is taking steps to address the issue and to ensure timely judicial processing for the Awaiting Trial Persons.

“Thanks to the initiative and backing of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we successfully reduced the inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were given the option to pay fines and/or compensation.

“The Service is also tackling custodial congestion through the construction of new facilities, the expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics, and the implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates,” he said.

Umar stated that the Service’s efforts to build partnerships with other agencies have paid off, leading to enhanced security and positive results in and around custodial facilities.

He said, “The Service has taken steps to reinforce the security of custodial facilities against external threats, and we have maintained a stable and secure environment within our facilities, with no incidents of internal insurrection.”

Umar also noted that the Service had seen significant enhancements in the treatment and care of inmates, particularly in personal reformation, rehabilitation programmes, and successful reintegration into society.

He added that the partnership between the NCoS and NOUN had yielded practical results, with a significant number of inmates enrolled in various academic programmes, including advanced degrees, while serving their sentences.

He said that, as of 31 August 2024, 1,282 inmates were enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) special study centre.

“A breakdown according to their various programmes includes: the total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Bachelor of Science degrees as of 31 August is 1,215.

“The total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees as of 31 August is 62.

“Also, the total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Doctor of Philosophy degrees is five, with three currently writing their thesis,” he said.