— Favour Abimbola Olumuyiwa | Premier World News
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ogun State Command, has matriculated 52 inmates into educational programmes run in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the West African College for Christian Missions (WACCM), as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation and prepare them for reintegration into society.
The joint matriculation ceremony was held on Friday at the Old Abeokuta Custodial Centre in Ibara, Abeokuta, under the theme, “Unlocking Potentials for Life After Incarceration Through Education: Resilience and Reintegration.”
Of the 52 newly matriculated students, 26 were admitted into NOUN, while the other 26 enrolled at WACCM.
The Controller of Corrections in Ogun State, Abioye Kamoru Adesina, described the ceremony as an important step towards the inmates’ personal development, rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
Adesina called for greater government support to strengthen educational and rehabilitation programmes in custodial centres, urging stakeholders to help advance the objectives of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019.
He encouraged the newly matriculated students to remain focused, work hard and take their education seriously as they prepare for life beyond incarceration.
The Deputy Controller of Corrections, Kolawole A. Ojo, said education remained an important tool for the reformation of inmates, adding that access to learning could help them acquire knowledge and improve their prospects after release.
Ojo, however, identified inadequate operational vehicles as one of the challenges facing the facility, saying the shortage affected the transportation of inmates to court and other operational responsibilities.
He called on the Ogun State Government to provide greater support for rehabilitation programmes, arguing that investment in inmate education could contribute to better reintegration outcomes.
Representing the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the Director of the Agency for Mass and Lifelong Education, Abosede Oduyemi Odulesi, disclosed that the state ministry sponsored 14 eligible inmates to sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination.
Odulesi said the initiative reflected the government’s belief that educational achievement remained possible even under difficult circumstances.
She urged the inmates to approach their studies with discipline and dedication, adding that education provided knowledge, skills and values needed for responsible participation in society.
Delivering the keynote address, the Olu of Imasayi, Dr. Kuoye Lukman Olalekan Adeleke, spoke on the role of education in helping inmates develop their potential and prepare for life after incarceration.
Adeleke urged the students not to allow their present circumstances to define their future, encouraging them to pursue opportunities to contribute positively to their communities and the country.
Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, Director of the Centre for Justice, described the educational initiative as an opportunity to support rehabilitation and potentially reduce reoffending.
He also proposed that learning should become a central component of correctional-centre programmes.
One of the programme’s sponsors, Olusegun Amure, said his decision to support the initiative was motivated by his faith.
He urged the students to make effective use of the opportunity and remain committed to their education.
The programme aligns with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, which mandates the Service to provide educational and vocational training as part of its reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration responsibilities.
The collaboration between the NCoS, NOUN and WACCM provides participating inmates with an opportunity to pursue further education while in custody, with the stated aim of helping them prepare for life after incarceration.
