The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced on Tuesday that the Nigerian government has saved approximately N3 billion in the past year by decongesting the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) centers. This achievement was shared during the launch of the “Report on the National Assessment of the Situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty in Nigeria” in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the savings resulted from the release of over 10,000 inmates who could not pay fines as low as N10,000 and N20,000. He noted that the daily feeding cost per inmate is N750, amounting to N22,500 monthly and over N300,000 annually.
To further address the issue, the minister mentioned the need for collaboration with the private sector to raise N500 million for the compensation and subsequent release of eligible inmates. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the correctional service, emphasizing that a shift in ideology is essential.
“A prison is a place of incarceration, whereas a correctional centre should focus on reformation, transformation, and rehabilitation,” he stated.
Addressing child incarceration, Tunji-Ojo advocated for support systems to ensure that minor mistakes do not lead to significant setbacks for young individuals.
UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, echoed the sentiment, asserting that child rights are human rights. She highlighted the prevalence of pre-trial detention and the limited access to community-based diversion programs for children.