The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has trained over 800 inmates in vocational and educational skills aimed at easing reintegration into society and reducing repeat offending.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the command, Adamu Duza, who said the initiatives are designed to promote rehabilitation, ease reintegration into society and reduce recidivism among discharged inmates.
According to the statement, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, has since assuming office prioritised the strengthening of inmate training programmes through strategic partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.
The command noted that donations of training materials and equipment by NGOs have significantly expanded access to vocational and educational opportunities within custodial facilities in the FCT.
“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 was quoted as saying.
The statement revealed that inmates across the custodial centres are currently undergoing training in a wide range of vocational skills. These include barbing, with 32 inmates enrolled, cap making, 35, embroidery, five; shoe making, 42, tailoring, 48, and carpentry, eight.
Other skill areas include tie and dye, with 27 inmates, cosmetology, 80, building construction, 60, electrical work, 11, and computer repair, 68 inmates.
Additional programmes cover laundry services with eight inmates, bag making with 15, artwork with six, and bead making with 12 inmates.
Agricultural-based skills also feature in the rehabilitation drive, with 200 inmates trained in fisheries, 78 in poultry farming and 80 in paint production.
Also, the command highlighted notable progress in formal education, stating that inmates are actively pursuing recognised academic qualifications.
At the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, 97 inmates are registered for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations, while 65 are sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Similarly, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, 30 inmates are enrolled for NABTEB and another 30 for NECO.
The statement further disclosed that a total of 222 inmates are currently enrolled in secondary education programmes, while 201 inmates are pursuing degree programmes with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
“With 222 inmates enrolled in secondary education and 201 pursuing degrees at NOUN, we’re proving that second chances start with education,” the command stated.
“Our gratitude goes to our NGO partners whose donations have made this vision a reality,” it added.
In October 2025, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in the FCT.
The visit, which was conducted alongside the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, was aimed at assessing ongoing inmate rehabilitation and reformation programmes as well as the general condition of the facility.
During the visit, the minister and the NBA President toured several skill acquisition centres within the custodial facility, including vocational workshops, educational classrooms and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training units, where inmates are being equipped with relevant life and trade skills to support their smooth reintegration into society upon release.
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