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Recent data from the NBS shows a worrying spike in the number of inmates filling up Nigeria's prison facilities.

Nigeria’s correctional facilities are currently feeling the heat as new data reveals a significant spike in the number of inmates across the country.

According to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the nation’s prison population jumped by over 11,000 inmates between 2017 and the second quarter of 2025. This 16.8% increase brings the total number of people behind bars to a staggering 81,710.

While the government has tried to keep up by expanding prison capacity to hold about 65,035 people, the reality on the ground is that the numbers are growing much faster than the bricks and mortar. This gap has left many facilities severely overstretched and struggling to cope.

A closer look at the numbers shows a recurring headache for the Nigerian justice system: the massive number of people "awaiting trial." 

Over 53,000 inmates fall into this category, meaning more than half of the people in our prisons have not yet been convicted of any crime. 

This points directly to slow court processes and a legal system that is currently bottlenecked.

The congestion is not evenly spread, however. Lagos State takes the crown for the most crowded facilities, housing over 9,000 inmates in spaces built for fewer than 4,200. 

Other states like Ogun, Kano, and Enugu are also feeling the squeeze, while Kogi and Bayelsa reported the lowest numbers.

Interestingly, the report highlights what is actually landing people in trouble. "Stealing" remains the most common reason for landing in a cell, followed by armed robbery. 

On the flip side, high-profile crimes like bribery, corruption, and cybercrime recorded surprisingly low numbers in terms of prison admissions.

Beyond the numbers, this situation paints a grim picture of the human element. The NCoS recently noted that over 8,000 inmates are battling mental health issues, a situation likely worsened by the cramped and difficult living conditions.

Experts believe that until Nigeria fully embraces non-custodial options like community service and fixes the delay in the courts, our "Correctional" centers may continue to be more about congestion than actual correction.