The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has said that the number of prisoners on death row had risen from 3,590 in September 2024 to 3,688 in March 2025.
This represents a 2.73 per cent increase or addition of 98 prisoners within six months.
The Acting Controller-General of NCoS, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, gave the figure when he appeared for screening before the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Sen. Adams Oshiomhole.
The NCoS also sought strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS); Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to speed up the wheel of justice in the country.
Nwakuche said that the major challenge facing the correctional service in the country was that of inmates currently awaiting trials.
“That is our major headache we are trying to address on a daily basis,” he said.
The acting comptroller-general pledged to collaborate with other security agencies more strategically to ensure that the issues of awaiting trials inmates were permanently resolved to decongest the country’s prisons .
“This is very important for any establishment to forge ahead. An establishment like correctional centres cannot do anything without collaboration.
“We are the recipient of the products of all the prosecuting agencies,” the acting comptroller-general said.
In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, said the committee would submit its report based on the performance of the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
