FG Pledges Prison Reform, Cites Mandela Rules as UN, NHRC Highlight Nigeria’s Overcrowded Jails

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of prisoners, aligning with both the Nigerian Constitution and global standards such as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

This came during a one-day national dialogue on the 2024 Prison Audit, held Friday in Abuja to mark Nelson Mandela International Day. The event was co-hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the UN Information Centre (UNIC).

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized that the Mandela Day celebration underscores principles of justice, dignity, and humanity, especially for those behind bars.

“Let me reaffirm the government’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all persons in custody,” Tunji-Ojo stated, calling the audit a “critical milestone” for evidence-based correctional reform.

He also praised UNODC for its support, including training correctional officers, promoting non-custodial sentencing, and improving legal aid access.

In a presentation by Dr. Benedict Agwu of the NHRC, the prison audit revealed 81,686 inmates across Nigeria as of July 2025, of which 53,713 (66%) are awaiting trial.

This is a slight improvement from 70% in July 2024, attributed to better legal aid, non-custodial practices, and case management improvements.

Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, noted that the current prison capacity is 50,153, making overcrowding a serious issue.

“This year’s commemoration is especially relevant, given the scale of Nigeria’s pre-trial detention,” she said.

UNODC’s Dr. Cheikh Toure reiterated the importance of the Mandela Rules, updated in 2015 to promote rights-based prison oversight. He cited:

• Rule 83: Independent inspections

• Rule 84: Internal monitoring

• Rule 85: External reviews and emergency action

The event attracted several dignitaries, including:

• Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) – Executive Secretary, NHRC

• Justice Hapsat Abdulrahman – Chief Judge of Adamawa

• Justice Halima Mohammed – Chief Judge of Gombe

• Ambassadors Pieter Leenknegt (Belgium) and Peter Guschelbauer (Austria)

• Hon. Chinedu Ogah – Chair, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions

Speakers called for urgent policy shifts to reduce the number of detainees awaiting trial and emphasized that prison must be a last resort, not a holding pen for Nigeria’s broken justice system.