The Federal Government has charged the newly decorated Controller General (CG) of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, with spearheading a comprehensive transformation of the nation’s correctional system, with an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
During Friday’s decoration ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo reiterated the significance of this paradigm shift in correctional philosophy.
“We want stability in the NCoS. We do not want a condemnation service but a transformative one. We want custodial centres to be places where hopes will be renewed,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The Minister stated that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Nwakuche comes with high expectations and significant responsibilities, including oversight of 256 custodial facilities nationwide.
“Mr. President has invested his trust in picking you as the CG. You need to understand your mandates, ambitions, and targets. You must have timelines,” he said, adding, “You have a huge national responsibility to protect over 256 custodial centres. You must lead from the front.”
Tunji-Ojo urged the new Controller General to establish a solid foundation within 19 months, focusing on raising operational standards and creating a lasting legacy. He also highlighted the importance of treating inmates with dignity, describing them as “awaiting assets” to the nation.
“All inmates are your children. Do not maltreat your children, but correct them so they can be better,” the minister advised.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, reinforced these expectations, telling Nwakuche, “You have a lot to do. Nigerians and the Ministry of Interior are looking up to you. We want to change the narrative of the correctional service.”
In his acceptance speech, CG Nwakuche acknowledged the significance of his appointment, calling it “a renewed call to duty,” and outlined a comprehensive seven-point agenda to reform the correctional system.
“This honour comes not merely as a promotion but as a renewed call to duty—a higher charge to advance the vision of a correctional system that is secure, humane, and truly reformative,” he stated.
Nwakuche’s reform agenda prioritises enhanced security protocols, systematic decongestion of facilities, infrastructure development, improved staff welfare, comprehensive inmate rehabilitation, youth reformation initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders.
The Controller General highlighted overcrowding as a critical challenge, noting that over two-thirds of the inmate population consists of persons awaiting trial. “We will aggressively pursue decongestion by engaging the judiciary, state governments, and other stakeholders,” he pledged.
Nwakuche also committed to revitalising Borstal Institutions for young offenders, stating, “Our youths must not be lost to the streets or to crime. We will revitalise and expand Borstal Institutions to provide correction, character reformation, and hope to young offenders.”
The Senate had confirmed Nwakuche’s appointment as substantive NCoS Controller General on March 25, following his initial appointment on December 13, 2024, in an acting capacity. He succeeds former Controller General Haliru Nababa.
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