May 28, 2026
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
As of February 9, 2026, Nigeria’s total inmate population stood at 80,812.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) reported that of this number, 51,955 inmates were awaiting trial, 24,913 had been convicted, and 3,850 were held under other categories.
The Controller-General, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed these figures while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja to present the Service’s 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget estimates.
