UNICEF pledges support to reduce child detention in Nigeria
From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged support to Nigeria in efforts to reduce the detention of children for minor offences, while advocating for faster
From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged support to Nigeria in efforts to reduce the detention of children for minor offences, while advocating for faster decongestion of prisons nationwide.
Speaking at the Stakeholders Engagement for the presentation and validation of the Independent Investigative Panel report on the Nigerian Correctional Service at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday, UNICEF Representative Mona Aika emphasised that children in conflict with the law must still be treated as children and their rights protected.
Aika called for a review of pre-trial detention practices, urging the government to implement speedy trials and consider non-custodial measures as an alternative for decongesting correctional facilities.
She noted that annually, about 26,000 children and 122,000 adults pass through Nigerian correctional centres, highlighting the need for child-focused protections.
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The UNICEF official commended the federal government for establishing the investigative panel, saying it reinforces transparency and accountability within the correctional system.
She stressed that robust institutions rely on a culture of accountability and urged urgent action to address the large proportion of awaiting-trial inmates, who make up 74 percent of custodial populations.
Aika further noted that the presentation and validation of the panel’s report should mark the beginning of implementing reforms and recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency and fairness of Nigeria’s correctional system.
