The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced plans to collaborate with Yakubu Gowon University to expand education and vocational training opportunities for inmates.
The partnership was discussed on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the FCT Controller of Corrections, Christopher Jen, to the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Adamu Matthew.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NCoS spokesperson, Adamu Duza, Jen highlighted the need to engage inmates in meaningful learning and skill acquisition programs to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration.
“We want to ensure that our inmates are kept busy and acquire skills that will enable us to sleep with our two eyes closed when they are discharged,” Jen said.
He specifically urged the university to extend its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes to custodial centres, enabling inmates to pursue formal education while serving their sentences.
Prof. Matthew, who recently assumed office as Acting Vice Chancellor, welcomed the initiative and pledged full support for implementation.
“I will direct the Director of the Open Distance Learning Centre to consider establishing a learning centre in your facility to bridge the education gap,” he assured.
The university also committed to promoting positive public perceptions of incarceration and rehabilitation, with Matthew noting that students and communities need to be more open to accepting reformed inmates.
This new collaboration is expected to complement ongoing efforts by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), which already runs academic programmes for inmates nationwide.
Recent Milestones in Inmate Education
The latest move comes after NCoS, in partnership with Shammies Unusual Heart Foundation, launched a NABTEB Examination Centre at Kuje Custodial Centre in August, registering 70 inmates for the 2025 November/December exams.
The project, themed “Restoring Dignity Through Education and Second Chances”, aims to equip inmates with skills and certifications that can help them reintegrate into society.
Deputy Controller-General Amoran Olarewaju stressed that education is a powerful tool for rehabilitation, while Shammies Foundation’s Executive Director, Saratu Abdullahi, pledged continued support.
FCT Controller of Corrections Bosun Ajibogun described the NABTEB initiative as a “game changer” and announced plans to expand similar centres to Suleja Custodial Centre.
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