In a decisive move to address the longstanding issue of overcrowding and improve the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorized the recruitment of 5,000 new officers, announced on January 15, 2025.
The Acting Comptroller General of the Service, Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, revealed the news during a presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions. This recruitment drive is seen as a critical step in the administration’s broader strategy to reform the correctional system, which has been plagued by issues of overcrowding and insufficient staffing.
Ndidi highlighted that although President Tinubu approved in August 2024, the implementation was delayed due to budgetary constraints. However, with the necessary funding in the 2025 budget, the recruitment process can commence once the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) gives its final nod.
The initiative has been met with urgency from lawmakers, who have expressed frustration over the delays in addressing these critical issues. The House Committee emphasized the need for transparency and speed in the recruitment process to effectively tackle the pressing needs within correctional facilities across the country.
This move aligns with a significant financial commitment to the NCoS, with a proposed budget for 2025 amounting to N183.6 billion. Key allocations include N127 billion for personnel costs, N45.8 billion for overhead costs, and N13.4 billion for capital expenditure. A substantial portion, N38 billion, is designated specifically for feeding the nation’s 91,100 inmates, translating to a daily cost of N1,125 per person.
Beyond recruitment, the NCoS aims to modernize its infrastructure and security systems. Plans include installing advanced security systems, biometric scanners, CCTV surveillance, and enhanced personnel training. The service also plans to upgrade its seven training institutions to meet modern ICT standards, aiming for greater efficiency and security within correctional facilities.
Victor Ogene, a member of the committee from Anambra, underscored the importance of transparency in the recruitment process, advocating for swift and fair hiring practices. “This process should be transparent and timely to address the pressing need in our correctional facilities,” Ogene stated.
The recruitment initiative and the subsequent modernization efforts are part of President Tinubu’s broader vision to revamp Nigeria’s correctional system, ensuring it not only manages inmates but also rehabilitates and reintegrates them into society effectively.
This development has sparked discussions on social media, with posts on X reflecting both optimism about the potential improvements in the correctional system and skepticism regarding the timeline and execution of the recruitment process.
The Nigerian public and international observers will be watching closely to see how these measures are implemented, with hopes high for a transformation that could set a new standard for correctional services in Africa.
