About 26,000 children are held in correctional facilities across Nigeria each year — nearly 30% of the total inmate population — raising alarm among officials and rights advocates who say the practice violates child protection laws and demands urgent reform.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the situation as a “gross violation” during the launch of a national assessment report on children and young adults deprived of liberty.
He said the report, developed through inter-agency collaboration, would guide reforms including retraining correctional officers and expanding non-custodial sentencing.
Despite legal protections under Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, many children remain detained — often without trial, legal representation or access to basic services.
One such case is a 14-year-old boy, identified as Efosa, who spent more than a year in a juvenile facility in Edo state over a theft allegation without a court hearing or lawyer. His case reflects a broader pattern affecting thousands of minors nationwide.
Nigeria operates 256 correctional facilities designed for about 50,000 inmates but currently holds more than 81,000 people, according to data from the World Prison Brief, putting occupancy at over 136%.
Health experts warn that children held in overcrowded or adult facilities face severe risks, including abuse, trauma and infectious diseases.
According to UNICEF representative Nkiru Maduechesi, about 74% of detained minors are awaiting trial, sometimes for years.
“Their rights to justice, education and healthcare are being denied,” she said.
Civil society groups have stepped in to fill gaps. The Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative has helped secure releases for detained children by providing legal aid and mediation. Efosa, for instance, has since been released and is undergoing vocational training.
Another boy, Adam, was freed after similar intervention and is now receiving reintegration support.
Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi recently introduced new prosecution and legal aid guidelines for children, aimed at strengthening implementation of child protection laws and promoting alternatives to detention.
Legal experts say enforcement remains weak. Lawyer Okwudiri Thompson noted that the Child Rights Act has not been fully adopted in all states, leaving gaps in protection, particularly in regions where customary or religious laws apply.
Human rights lawyer Deji Ajare said systemic failures — including poor training, weak legal aid and a “detention-first” approach — contribute to prolonged incarceration of minors.
He called for immediate reforms, including prioritizing non-custodial measures, improving legal processes and ensuring parental notification in child-related cases.
The Nigerian Correctional Service said it operates specialized borstal institutions for young offenders and has expanded such facilities from three to seven locations nationwide. It also cited ongoing reforms, including improved training, oversight and rehabilitation programs focused on education and skills acquisition.
Still, officials acknowledged challenges, including overcrowding and the need for stronger coordination with state authorities.
Advocates say without consistent enforcement of existing laws and sustained investment in rehabilitation, thousands of Nigerian children will continue to be caught in a justice system ill-equipped to protect them.
