The House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions has called for an urgent upgrade of infrastructure across Nigeria’s correctional centres to support ongoing reforms and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Chinedu Ogah (APC-Ebonyi), made the appeal during an oversight visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja. He commended the minister’s strategic leadership and noted that recent efforts were beginning to reflect global standards, especially in tackling overcrowding and improving inmate welfare.
Ogah stressed the need for accelerated infrastructural development and emphasized that the committee’s visit was part of a broader push to ensure government policies align with international best practices. “This engagement is a deliberate effort to commend the measurable progress made under the minister’s watch,” he said.
He also noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration is gradually transforming correctional institutions, with improved international perception and a stronger focus on inmate rehabilitation.
In response, Tunji-Ojo stated that the transformation of the correctional system is being driven by data and national needs—not sentiment or politics. He revealed that while public perception may suggest overcrowding, some facilities are underutilized, and future siting of custodial centres must be based on population and security considerations.
The minister highlighted key reforms, including the transformation of Kuje Custodial Centre into a model facility with modern medical equipment and a functional lab. He also confirmed presidential approval for the recruitment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses, along with the deployment of NYSC medical corps members to correctional facilities.
Tunji-Ojo added that inmate feeding allowances have been increased, while thousands of inmates are now enrolled in vocational and life skills programmes as part of efforts to shift from punitive incarceration to true reformation.
He further urged lawmakers to support legislation that promotes non-custodial sentencing, state-federal collaboration, and strategic development of new facilities.
The minister also announced that recruitment has opened for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
