- He announced plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track compliance
- He explained that recidivism reduced from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, before further declining to 1,382 in 2025
The Federal Government has reported a sharp decline in repeat offences among inmates within the Nigerian Correctional Service, saying recidivism has fallen from 11,616 cases in 2023 to 1,382 in 2025 due to ongoing reform and rehabilitation programmes.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure on Wednesday during the presentation of an investigative report on correctional facilities, describing the development as evidence that reforms in the system are beginning to yield results.
EDITOR’S PICK
- APM Endorses Makinde For 2027 Presidency, Targets PDP Members In Osun
- Eredo Monarchs Suspend Ojude Oba Celebrations in Honour of Late Omola of Odomola
- “Do Not Cheat Back”—Actress Eriata Ese Warns Women Against Revenge Infidelity
According to him, the figures show steady improvement over the past three years, with repeat offences dropping significantly year by year.
He explained that recidivism reduced from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024, before further declining to 1,382 in 2025, attributing the trend to enhanced reformation and reintegration efforts for inmates.
The minister, however, stressed that the government would not consider the reform agenda successful until repeat offending is completely eliminated.
He also provided updated data on prison population movements, noting that 15,632 inmates were admitted into correctional centres in May 2026, while 14,190 were released within the same period under different legal arrangements.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the recommendations of the investigative report are fully implemented, adding that the findings would not be ignored.
He announced plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to track compliance and strengthen reforms within the correctional system.
The minister also called for collaboration with state governments on relocating correctional facilities, arguing that several prisons are now poorly situated due to urban development and expansion.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, revealed that the investigative committee inspected 86 custodial centres across 23 states during its nationwide assessment exercise.
FURTHER READING
