After decoration, Nwakuche promises secure, humane, reformative correctional system

The newly decorated Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, has promised that his leadership will ensure a secure, humane, and truly reformatice correctional system in Nigeria.

Nwakuche, who has been in acting capacity as the Controller General, was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and confirmed by the Senate.

Speaking at his official decoration by the minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Friday in Abuja, the new NCoS boss also promised to aggressively pursue decongestion by engaging the judiciary, State Governments, and other critical stakeholders to promote Non-Custodial Measures, expedite trials, and expand infrastructure where needed.

According to him, the current administration in NCoS will be anchored on seven core pillars that reflect both urgency and long-term transformation.

“The safe custody of inmates is our primary responsibility. We will strengthen this through manpower expansion, deployment of modern surveillance technologies, intelligence gathering, perimeter fortification, and synergy with other security agencies.
Second is Decongestion.

“With over two-thirds of our inmate population being Awaiting Trial Persons, we will aggressively pursue decongestion by engaging the judiciary, State Governments, and other critical stakeholders to promote Non-Custodial Measures, expedite trials, and expand infrastructure where needed.

“We will renovate custodial centres that are experiencing dilapidation, build new ones where necessary, and invest in staff housing to create an environment that supports both correctional work and family life.”

On welfare of the staff, the new CG promised to give utmost priority to the continuous training, retraining, and merit-based promotion of personnel.

” In addition, robust welfare packages, performance-based incentives, and structured recognition initiatives shall be instituted to enhance staff morale and ensure optimal operational effectiveness.

“The success of our rehabilitation efforts depends on how well we care for those in our custody. Adequate feeding, healthcare, education, vocational training, and strengthened aftercare programs will be pursued without compromise.

“The future of any nations depends largely on its youth. 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.

” Correctional reforms cannot be executed in isolation. I will continue to foster strong relationships with key agencies and development partners to unlock opportunities for system-wide improvement.”

While appreciating the President, Minister of Interior and the Senate, the new Controller General said his mission is to promote public protection by providing assistance for offenders in their reformation and rehabilitation under safe, secure and humane conditions in accordance with universally accepted standards and to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

Speaking during the decoration ceremony, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasised the need for urgent transformation within the NCoS, noting that critical areas still require attention to ensure long-term stability and effectiveness of the system.

The Minister urged Nwakuche to leverage his experience to reshape public perception of the Correctional Service, turning it into an institution focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment

Tunji-Ojo also reminded the new CG to treat the over 80,000 inmates across 256 correctional facilities in Nigeria with dignity and humanity, seeing them not as condemned individuals but as people capable of positive change.

The minister stressed that Nwakuche’s leadership must reflect the values of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by reforming, transforming, and reintegrating inmates into society through a more compassionate and efficient correctional framework.