The Ogun State Controller of Corrections, Kamarudeen Adesina, has said that no fewer than 550 inmates across the state’s correctional facilities have earned various degrees and vocational training between the years 2024 and 2025.
Adesina explained that over 300 inmates graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria, while 250 graduated from the Yewa Central College of Education.
He disclosed this yesterday at the award ceremony for officers from various facilities by the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organization, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The Controller noted that this achievement highlights the Nigerian Correctional Service’s (NCoS) commitment to providing education, vocational training, and counselling to promote behavioural change and reintegration into society.
Adesina added that they also trained officers to enhance their skills and knowledge for effective service delivery.
He said, ‘Here we have graduated over 300 inmates from the National Open University of Nigeria, 250 inmates from Yewa Central College of Education, and in so many vocational training.
On public protection, we have safeguarded the public through safe, secure, and humane custody of offenders, respecting the rights and dignity of all offenders, and promoting non-discrimination’.
In his remarks, the Convener, African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organization, Dannis Efe-Khaese, praised the Controller for meeting expectations, characterising him as a man who ensured that things were put in the right place, stressing that success is defined based on the achievements of the command.
Efe-Khaese, however, called for the monitoring of freed inmates, saying that while the NCoS is doing well in reformation, it lags behind in the reintegration of freed inmates into society.
‘So, that reformation is excellent, but the reintegration back into society is an area the Nigerian Correctional Service needs to look into, so that we won’t be having people who were freed returning back.
After freeing an inmate, they should be monitored. We see some of them outside begging.
They just came out of the prison, and they don’t have anything else to do. Some even feel they can do anything and go back in there. You need to warn them that they should never be seen in the prisons again’.
In response, the Controller emphasised that freed inmates are monitored closely and appealed to the public for support, highlighting stigmatisation as a major challenge.
He added that the correctional facilities cannot address the issue alone and need the public’s help, particularly from the families of the inmates, to achieve their goals.
