The Federal Government and state governments have granted pardons or reduced sentences for more than 8,300 inmates across Nigeria between January 2022 and March 2026.
Pardons in Nigeria are typically granted through recommendations by bodies such as Prerogative of Mercy Committees. These actions form part of broader efforts by authorities to address congestion in custodial centres nationwide.
Data for the pardons were compiled from media reports, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and various state government sources. The figures reflect officially reported cases over the review period.
Nigeria’s correctional system has continued to face challenges related to overcrowding, with a significant number of inmates awaiting trial due to prolonged judicial processes.
A breakdown of the figures shows that 707 inmates benefited from pardons or sentence adjustments in 2022. The number increased to 4,678 in 2023, before declining to 1,843 in 2024.
In 2025, over 850 inmates were granted similar relief, while more than 240 inmates have benefited in 2026 so far.
The increase recorded in 2023 followed a nationwide intervention in November of that year, when more than 4,000 inmates were released after fines imposed by courts were settled through a Federal Government-backed initiative supported by private sector contributions.
Despite these measures, more than 50,000 inmates are still awaiting trial across the country, many facing serious charges that require extended investigations and court proceedings.
Authorities said the pardons and sentence reductions are part of ongoing measures to decongest correctional facilities and improve conditions within the system.
The Federal Government has also introduced plans to transform custodial centres into agricultural and production hubs through public-private partnerships aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
Officials stated that expanding vocational and agricultural programmes could support skill acquisition and reduce repeat offences among inmates.
