At the Nigerian Correctional Center in Ibara, Abeokuta, 38 inmates comprising 32 men and 6 women have earned academic qualifications from the West African College for Christian Missions.
The group, which includes death row inmates, completed either a Bachelor of Arts in Theology or a Diploma in Missions.
The convocation took place within the correctional facility, which also serves as the Abeokuta campus of the college.
During the event, Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, whose speech was delivered by Ogun State Controller of Corrections, Abioye Adesina, emphasized the significance of the occasion. He described it as a reflection of commitment to rehabilitation, human dignity, and the role of education in changing lives.
He praised the inmates for making a conscious decision to embrace personal growth and discipline despite their circumstances.
He also commended the college for its partnership and encouraged the inmates to view their academic certificates as proof that reform is possible and that correctional centers can foster progress.
The Controller General said, “Today, we gather not behind walls and fences, but beyond the barriers of stigma, past mistakes, and societal labels. We gather here to honor resilience, recognize transformation, and celebrate the power of education within correctional walls.
“Your presence here today is not only symbolic, it is a testament to your belief in second chances, in human dignity, and in the transformative power of learning.
“To our graduating inmates or rather, to our scholars in correction, I say this: You have demonstrated that even in the most difficult circumstances, the mind can rise. You have chosen growth over despair, discipline over distraction and purpose over regret.
That is no small feat.
“This achievement belongs not only to you, but to your instructors, facilitators, the correction education unit, and our partners in academia who dared to believe in your potential.”
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Delivering the keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, represented by Prof. Fafiolu Olusesan, spoke on “Education: A Catalyst for Total Reformation Empowering Inmates for a Better Life Beyond Bars.”
He described education as a powerful tool for change, especially in correctional settings, where many individuals grapple with their past actions and lost chances. He stressed the role of learning in helping inmates regain purpose and dignity.
He said, “As we stand here, we acknowledge the power of education to reform, rehabilitate, and uplift. Across the world, correctional facilities are overflowing with individuals who carry the weight of their crimes, the burden of lost opportunity and the residue of broken systems.
“In this environment, education emerges not just as a privilege, but as a powerful catalyst for change. It is more than textbooks and lectures; it is a pathway to dignity, purpose, and reintegration. When we empower inmates with knowledge, we ignite the spark of reformation,” he added.
Prof. Kehinde urged the graduates to become role models and changemakers in their communities. He also encouraged public support for prison education programs as a way to reframe correctional narratives from punishment to personal growth.
In his contribution, Charles Ohiku, Provost of the West African College for Christian Missions (affiliated with Freedom University and Theological Seminary, Pottstown, PA, USA), was represented by the Registrar General, Prof. Olarenwaju Oluwasanu.
He congratulated the graduating class for successfully completing the rigorous four-year academic programme and staying committed to their calling.
