Death Row: 3,590 inmates await execution in Nigeria – NCoS

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that over 3,590 inmates in the country are currently on death row.

This was revealed by the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) Abubakar Umar, during a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on September 3, 2024, in Abuja.

Umar stated that as of September 3, 2024, the total inmate population across the nation’s custodial centers stands at 84,741, with 82,821 males and 1,920 females.

He highlighted that a significant portion of this population consists of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs), totaling 57,750 individuals, which poses a considerable challenge to the service.

“The total number of inmates on death row comprises 3,517 males and 73 females,” Umar noted, emphasizing the difficulties posed by the high number of inmates awaiting trial.

He assured that the NCoS is taking steps to address these challenges, including ensuring timely judicial processing for the ATIs.

In response to custodial congestion, Umar praised the efforts of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, mentioning that 4,063 inmates were recently released after being given the option to pay fines or compensation.

He also detailed other decongestion measures, such as the construction of new facilities, expansion of community sentencing, and enhancement of court logistics.

Furthermore, Umar highlighted the significant strides made in inmate rehabilitation, with a focus on education.

He reported that 1,282 inmates are currently enrolled in various academic programs at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with some pursuing advanced degrees.

“The partnership with NOUN is yielding practical results,” Umar said, noting that five inmates are studying for their PhDs, with three currently writing their theses.

Death row statistics over time

In the past decade, Nigeria’s death row inmates have steadily increased, mirroring broader trends in its criminal justice system.

For instance, in 2016, about 3,008 inmates on death row made up 4.3% of the total prison population.

By 2024, this number had risen to over 3,590, indicating a gradual but consistent rise in the death row population​.

This increase can be attributed to several factors, including the expansion of capital offenses under Nigerian law.

Capital offenses now include terrorism and kidnapping (in some states), expanding beyond traditional crimes like murder and armed robbery.

Additionally, Sharia law in the northern parts of the country considers certain crimes as capital offenses.

Despite the expansion, state governors rarely sign death warrants, making executions of death sentences uncommon.

As a result, there is a growing backlog of condemned inmates.

Evolution of inmate population

The overall inmate population in Nigeria’s custodial centers has also seen significant changes over the years.

As of September 2024, there were 84,741 inmates, a substantial increase from previous years.

A large portion of this population consists of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs), making up over two-thirds of all inmates.

High crime rates, slow judicial processes, and a lack of justice system reforms drive this trend.

Efforts to address these issues include judicial reforms and initiatives to decongest prisons, like fine payments or compensation.

Despite these measures, the persistent challenges in the criminal justice system have led to an overcrowded prison system.

As a result, there is a growing number of inmates waiting for trial, some for many years.

These trends highlight Nigeria’s evolving legal framework amid complex social, political, and economic pressures on crime and punishment.

Impact of inmate rehabilitation programs

Nigeria’s correctional rehabilitation, especially through the National Open University (NOUN), has significantly reduced recidivism.

These programs have also positively transformed the lives of inmates.

Key highlights include educational opportunities, from basic literacy classes to advanced degrees.

Inmates enrolled in NOUN have reported significant personal development, with many crediting their studies for giving them hope and purpose during incarceration.

The initiative has garnered international recognition, including the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy in 2018.

This recognition highlights its effectiveness in promoting literacy and skills development among inmates.

These opportunities equip inmates with academic qualifications and vocational skills, enhancing their employability upon release.

Studies show that inmates in educational programs are less likely to reoffend, gaining knowledge and mindset for successful reintegration.

The program operates in 240 Nigerian correctional centers, offering literacy, technical education, and vocational training to thousands of inmates.

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