Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive to recruit 5,000 new personnel into the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to help address the growing issue of overcrowding in the nation’s correctional facilities. The announcement was made by the Acting Comptroller General of the NCS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, during a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, which is chaired by Mr. Chinedu Ogar.
Mr. Ndidi explained that although the recruitment had already been approved by President Tinubu in August 2024, the process was delayed due to a funding shortfall. However, he reassured lawmakers that the recruitment would move forward as soon as the necessary approval is granted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), with funding now secured in the 2025 fiscal year.
The acting comptroller general further elaborated on the situation, clarifying that the absence of cash backing had been the main reason behind the delay in hiring the new personnel, despite the presidential approval. He assured the committee that once the funding is confirmed, the recruitment process will begin without further delay.
The 2025 budget proposal for the NCS, which was also presented during the session, was a major topic of discussion. According to Mr. Ndidi, the proposed budget stands at N183.6 billion, with N127 billion allocated for personnel costs, N45.8 billion for overheads, and N13.4 billion for capital expenditures. A significant portion of the budget, N38 billion, is earmarked for feeding the country’s 91,100 inmates, amounting to a daily cost of N1,125 per person.
Despite these allocations, Mr. Ndidi raised concerns over a reduction in capital expenditure, which was slashed by N762 million, and appealed for an additional N70.4 billion in funding. He emphasised that the extra funds would be vital for modernising the NCS’s custodial facilities, improving security systems, and digitising inmate management.
Mr. Ndidi outlined several key modernisation plans, including the installation of advanced technology such as CCTV surveillance, biometric scanners, body cameras for staff, and state-of-the-art security systems in all correctional centres. Additionally, the NCS aims to upgrade its seven training institutions to meet modern ICT standards and procure new operational vehicles and arms for security personnel. These measures are intended to create a safer, more efficient environment for both inmates and staff.
With the president’s directive now in place and the necessary funding provisions included in the 2025 budget, the Nigerian Correctional Service is set for a major transformation. While it remains to be seen whether these steps will alleviate the long-standing issues of overcrowding and inadequate personnel, the progress made thus far signals a crucial shift in the country’s correctional system.
During the session, committee member Mr. Victor Ogene raised concerns about the delays, stressing the urgent need for the recruitment to address the overcrowding crisis in the nation’s correctional facilities. He urged the NCS to work closely with the committee to ensure the swift and transparent implementation of the recruitment process.
“We have been enquiring for months about whether this recruitment is happening behind closed doors, and we will not accept such an outcome. This process should be transparent and timely,” Mr. Ogene said.
In response, Mr. Chinedu Ogar, Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, assured the committee that he would work closely with the NCS to ensure the achievement of their budget targets and the timely implementation of the recruitment plan.
As the NCS prepares for this major overhaul, there is hope that the long-awaited reforms will significantly improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and provide better outcomes for both inmates and staff alike.
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