President Bola Tinubu has given nod to the relocation of 29 correctional facilities across Nigeria as part of a sweeping initiative to modernise the nation’s custodial system.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the unveiling of 39 newly acquired operational vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo underscored the need for infrastructural overhaul, pointing out that many correctional centres in Nigeria date back to the 19th and 20th centuries.
He specifically mentioned the Suleja and Ikoyi correctional centres, established in 1914 and 1956, respectively, as examples of outdated facilities that require urgent attention.
“Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure. The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres,” the minister stated.
Emphasising the significance of this move, Tunji-Ojo stressed that modernising correctional facilities is essential to improving conditions for both inmates and officers.
He assured the public that the relocation process was already underway, forming part of the government’s broader efforts to reform the correctional system.
“We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started,” he added.
Beyond infrastructure, the minister highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of correctional officers.
“We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were,” he noted, pointing to major strides in officer promotions and welfare under President Tinubu’s administration.
According to Tunji-Ojo, over 50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted in the past two years, addressing long-standing bottlenecks in career progression.
He revealed that, for the first time, the promotion system within the service had undergone a complete restructuring to ensure officers experience timely career growth.
The minister also outlined a broader vision for Nigeria’s paramilitary forces, stressing their role in internal security.
“We are building a system where the paramilitary will be at the centre of internal security in Nigeria. This is a function of capacity, and capacity is a function of knowledge acquisition,” he explained.
He further highlighted the need for rigorous recruitment processes to align with global best practices and ensure that correctional services are not merely punitive but rehabilitative.
“We are encouraging our officers and ensuring that they are properly trained. But beyond that, we must ensure that the correctional system is not just about punishment but also about rehabilitation and transformation,” he added.
During the event, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed optimism about the newly acquired assets, including specialised vehicles designed to facilitate the transportation of inmates to and from court proceedings.
The vehicles, according to him, will be allocated to various correctional commands based on operational requirements.
Additionally, the NCoS introduced five bullet-resistant guard booths, which will be deployed to high-security correctional facilities in Kuje, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos, as well as the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
These booths, equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities, are designed to withstand heavy weaponry and explosives, strengthening security against potential external threats.
“The acquisition of these vehicles directly responds to the evolving challenges faced by the NCoS, particularly in ensuring the timely production of inmates in courts. As clearly outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, one of our core functions is the ‘conveyance of remand persons to and from courts in motorised formations.’
“These new additions to our fleet will significantly bolster our capacity to meet this critical aspect of our mandate,” Nwakuche stated.
With an inmate population of 80,066—66% of whom are pretrial detainees—he acknowledged the importance of these vehicles in addressing the challenge of overcrowding.
“With this strengthened fleet, we are poised to improve court attendance, thus playing our part in the swift administration of justice and contributing to the overall decongestion of our correctional facilities.
“This development aligns perfectly with the broader vision of the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service for enhanced efficiency, professionalism, and compliance with international best practices,” he said.
Nwakuche commended NCoS officers for their dedication and urged them to handle the newly acquired resources responsibly.
“Let us continue to discharge our duties with dedication, integrity, and professionalism. Together, we can build a correctional system that reflects the values of justice, security, and humanity,” he stated
With these measures, the government aims to create a more secure and rehabilitative correctional system, ensuring better conditions for inmates while strengthening national security.
