By Kolawole Ojebisi
President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres across the country.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed this development during the commissioning of 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.
While speaking on the development, Tunji-Ojo highlighted that many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja and Ikoyi, were established in the 1950s and are outdated.
“Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1950, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities dating back to 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 We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure.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,” he stated.
The minister emphasised the urgent need for modernisation to improve conditions for both correctional officers and inmates, noting that the relocation is part of a larger plan to address the infrastructural challenges hindering the effectiveness of the correctional system.
He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to reform, saying, “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.”
Tunji-Ojo further noted that this move is essential for creating a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as the current facilities no longer meet modern standards.
The minister also spoke about ongoing efforts to improve 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 stated, referencing significant improvements in officer promotions and welfare.
He added that relocating the correctional centres would further enhance the government’s broader reform agenda, which includes better conditions for both inmates and officers. The minister highlighted the significant improvements made under President Tinubu’s administration regarding the welfare of correctional officers.
He explained that in the past two years, more than “50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted,” addressing long-standing issues in the promotion system.
He added that, for the first time in history, the promotion system within the service had undergone a complete overhaul, with officers now experiencing timely career progression.
In his address, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed his enthusiasm for the new acquisitions, which include specialised vehicles for transporting inmates to and from courts.
The vehicles will be distributed to various commands based on operational needs and demand.
In addition to the escort vehicles, the NCoS also unveiled five bullet-resistant guard booths.
