Nigeria Tops Global List of Inmates Awaiting Trial, New 2026 Data Reveals
By Missang AKPET
Nigeria has the highest share of inmates awaiting trial among globally in 2026, with nearly two-thirds of its prison population yet to be convicted, according to new global prison statistics.
Data released by statitisense shows that 65.2% of inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities are awaiting trial. This means they have not been convicted by a court but remain in custody.
Among the countries surveyed, the percentage of inmates awaiting trial stands at:
Nigeria — 65.2%
Canada — 49.6%
Kenya — 40.3%
South Africa — 37.2%
Egypt — 33.3%
United Kingdom — 28.2%
United States — 25.5%
Ghana — 11.4%
The high number of awaiting-trial inmates points to challenges with case backlogs, slow judicial processes, and access to legal representation.
Legal experts say a large awaiting trial population puts pressure on prison facilities, affects inmates’ rights to speedy trial, and increases government spending on detention.
In Nigeria, human rights groups and the judiciary have repeatedly called for reforms including plea bargain options, alternative dispute resolution, and improved case management to reduce the number of persons held pre-trial.
Countries with lower percentages like Ghana, the US, and UK generally have faster court processes and wider use of bail and non-custodial measures.
This statistics figures highlights the urgent need for judicial reforms across countries with high pre-trial detention rates to ensure both fair and timely justice.
