The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has expressed deep concern over the incarceration of more than 26,000 children in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, stating that they make up 30% of the total inmate population.
Speaking at a high-level inter-agency stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the minister described the situation as a violation of child protection laws, which mandate that minors should be placed in borstal institutions instead of adult correctional centres.
Tunji-Ojo called for urgent reforms within the criminal justice system to prevent vulnerable groups, particularly children, from suffering unwarranted imprisonment. He emphasized the need for non-custodial measures for non-violent offenders and advocated for increased collaboration between state and federal governments to address the issue.
“The law is clear—children should not be in adult correctional centres. We will not tolerate violations of this law. There will be consequences for agencies that fail to uphold it,” the minister stated.
He further highlighted the lack of adequate facilities and called for the establishment of a Nigerian Paramilitary Academy to train correctional personnel in humane and rehabilitative practices.
According to a 2024 report, the annual detention of 26,000 children over the past five years raises serious concerns about the enforcement of child rights laws. Tunji-Ojo assured that the government would investigate breaches and hold institutions accountable.
“The future is now. Correctional services are not about condemnation but correction, and this is the path we must follow,” he said.
The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s correctional system into a rehabilitative model that prioritizes reform over punishment.
