Nearly 4,000 Nigerians have been convicted and imprisoned in United States federal prisons over the past decade for various criminal offences, according to official records from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
The records show that 3,968 Nigerians were sentenced between 2016 and 2025, covering a wide range of offences committed across the United States.
The Bureau of Prisons declined requests to release photographs or mugshots of the inmates, explaining that such images are only made public when an inmate is on escape status due to privacy, safety and security considerations.
According to the data, 1,978 Nigerians were convicted for offences related to fraud, bribery and extortion, making it the most common category of crime. Another 828 individuals were listed without a specified offence, which the BOP attributed to pending sentencing information.
The records also revealed that 433 Nigerians were imprisoned for burglary and larceny offences, while 422 were convicted of drug trafficking-related crimes.
In addition, 74 Nigerians were jailed for immigration fraud, and 64 received prison sentences for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The figures indicate that an average of about 400 Nigerians entered U.S. federal prisons each year during the 2016–2025 period.
Among the notable Nigerians listed in the records is Umar Abdulmutallab, who was imprisoned following his failed attempt to bomb a U.S.-bound passenger aircraft.
Others on the list include Bidemi Rufai, Obinwanne Okeke and Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas, all of whom were convicted in separate high-profile internet fraud cases involving millions of dollars.
