The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has reported significant progress in inmate empowerment and rehabilitation through expanded skill acquisition and educational programmes across its custodial centres.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Adamu Duza, NCoS said the initiatives are aimed at promoting rehabilitation, easing reintegration into society, and reducing recidivism among discharged inmates.
Since assuming office, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, has prioritised enhancing inmate training through partnerships with various organisations. Donations of training materials from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have helped widen access to vocational and educational opportunities within the facilities.
“I am immensely proud of the transformative progress we’ve made in empowering inmates through skill acquisition and education. These partnerships with NGOs have not only equipped over 800 inmates with practical skills but are paving the way for true rehabilitation and reduced recidivism,” Jen said in the statement.
Inmates are currently being trained in a wide range of vocational skills. Thirty-two inmates are undergoing training in barbing, 35 in cap making, five in embroidery, 42 in shoe making, 48 in tailoring, and eight in carpentry. Other programmes include tie and dye (27 inmates), cosmetology (80), building (60), electrical work (11), and computer repair (68). Agricultural skills feature prominently, with 200 inmates trained in fisheries, 78 in poultry farming, and 80 in paint production. Additional training includes laundry services, bag making, artwork, and bead making.
The command also highlighted progress in formal education, noting that inmates are actively pursuing recognised academic qualifications. At the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, 97 inmates are registered for National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations, while 65 are sitting for National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. At Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, 30 inmates are enrolled in NABTEB and another 30 in NECO. A total of 222 inmates are enrolled in secondary education, while 201 are pursuing degrees at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
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The statement credited NGO partnerships for supporting these educational and vocational initiatives.
In October 2025, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conducted an unscheduled inspection of the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, accompanied by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN. The visit included tours of vocational workshops, classrooms, and ICT training units, providing firsthand insight into ongoing rehabilitation programmes and assessing the overall state of the facility.
The NCoS said these initiatives demonstrate its commitment to equipping inmates with the skills and education necessary for successful reintegration into society after release.
