The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that at least 8,246 inmates in custodial centres across the country are living with mental health conditions.
Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr. Glory Essien, revealed the figure on Tuesday, August 12, during a public hearing by the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS in Abuja.
Essien said the psychological impact of imprisonment often begins immediately after arrest.
“From the moment someone is brought in… that instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to show signs of disturbed behaviour almost immediately, as if something in their mind has shifted,” she explained.
She noted that trained inmate leaders assist staff in identifying early warning signs such as withdrawal or refusal to eat. However, the scale of the problem far outweighs available resources.
“If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, and you’re the only attending doctor, nurse, or psychologist, it’s simply not possible to monitor everyone individually,” she said, citing shortages of drugs, staff, and transportation as major challenges.
On the chronic nature of the issue, Essien stressed:
“Mental illness is chronic. It’s not like malaria, where a single dose clears up the issue.”
Also speaking, the NCoS Assistant Controller General in charge of Pharmaceutical Services, Mohammed Bashir, admitted that while funds are appropriated for inmate healthcare, they remain insufficient.
“Money has been appropriated, but is the money enough? No,” he said, revealing that sanitary pads for menstruating inmates alone cost the service over ₦4 million monthly.
Bashir added that the service partners with psychiatric and psychological associations, with consultants visiting about 12 major custodial centres that record a high number of mental health cases. However, he acknowledged that medications often run out within weeks.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, made a public appeal for wider support, particularly for facilities in remote states.
“Please come to Macedonia and help us. We are in dire need of psychiatric and psychological aid in remote states beyond Abuja and Lagos,” she urged, calling on professionals to work outside major cities.
Ajani also pushed for stronger public-private partnerships, suggesting that companies could donate drugs as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“Do it now. Build a bridge and empower younger people to be able to sustain that bridge that you are building,” she said.