The Federal Government has initiated an audit of inmates in its 256 Custodial Centres nationwide to tackle congestion.

 This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following his inspection of the 3,000-capacity Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Janguza, Kano State, and the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja.Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained that the audit is part of a scientific and empirical approach to understanding and solving the issues within the correctional facilities.

 He emphasized the importance of data, noting that the audit would lead to significant decongestion once completed.

“So, the audit system is being empirical. It is scientific and that will lead massively to the decongestion of our Custodial Centres. It is not just saying you want to decongest. It is about you knowing the status. Life is all about data. Data is the new oil. Data is the blood of life in this millennium. The audit is going on and by the time we are done with the audit, you will see the level of decongestion that we will have as a result of the audit. So, we are just being empirical”.

During his visit to the Kuje facility, the Minister received three books authored by an inmate who has been in custody for 12 years. Dr. Tunji-Ojo expressed his delight, stating that these facilities are now focused on reform and correction rather than mere incarceration.

“That is the positive story about Nigeria that I want people to see. These shows that our Custodial Centres are no longer ‘Prisons’. They are now correctional. They are transformational. They are reformatory institutions and Nigerians can know that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just about the strongest in the society. It is about both the strongest and the weakest in our society. He said.

He highlighted ongoing renovations at several centres, including perimeter fencing and improved security infrastructure, and noted the transformation of Kuje, which now offers better welfare and facilities for inmates.

The Minister also shared a positive story of an inmate at Kuje who has earned a first degree, a Master’s degree, and is now pursuing a PhD through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Dr. Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming old custodial facilities, some of which date back over 100 years, into modern, functional correctional centres.

The Minister added:“The Correctional Service is one that needs intervention and the government is doing everything because we know we have to put in all the efforts to make sure that we are able to offer solutions to most of these problems.

 He credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration with these ongoing reforms, ensuring that the next generation inherits a robust correctional system.