Monday Reuben, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing comprehensive reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Service, ensuring that the institution remains a hub for rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration. This assurance was made by the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the official launch of the report on the National Assessment of the Situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty in Abuja on Tuesday.
Addressing the audience, the Minister emphasized that the correctional service must not tarnish Nigeria’s reputation, declaring that the institution would not be allowed to remain a "disgrace" to the country. "The correctional service cannot continue to be a point of disgrace to the Nigerian Government. We will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the integrity of the generality of the institution," Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated emphatically.
The Minister's remarks come amid rising public attention on the correctional service, particularly in light of the ongoing investigation into the case involving controversial social media personality, Bobrisky. Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that the Federal Government is committed to handling the situation with full transparency and will hold accountable any officer found guilty of misconduct in the case. "We are resolute. By next week, the committee will be ready with the report. My concern is not about Bobrisky, but about my officers. If any officer is found wanting, he must face the penalty," he said.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo made it clear that reform in the correctional service is not just about a change in name from "prisons" to "corrections" but involves a deeper commitment to improving the system's overall functionality. He reiterated the government’s intention to address issues related to the structure and operation of correctional centres across the country. He questioned the need for the large number of correctional facilities, given Nigeria’s inmate population of 84,000 in a country of over 200 million people.
"There are certain questions we need to ask ourselves; like, do we need 256 correctional centres in Nigeria? When you do the ratio of inmates to the population, Nigeria is one of the least. How many armed correctional guards do we have to secure the 256 centres? We need to ask ourselves these questions," the Minister said.
He also highlighted the importance of juvenile justice reform, stressing the need for more effective rehabilitation programs for children and young adults in the system. "I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance, as I strongly believe that a minor action of a minor should not be a major setback for his future," Dr. Tunji-Ojo remarked.
The Minister assured stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, and various international partners, that the government will carefully consider all issues raised in the report and work towards sustainable solutions. He also announced plans to expand the committee overseeing the correctional reforms, ensuring it addresses crises promptly and effectively. "We will expand the committee because when the crisis calls, it is an opportunity for reform," he added.
The Federal Government's renewed focus on correctional reforms signals a broader agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aimed at transforming correctional centres into institutions that prioritize rehabilitation, reintegration, and social redemption.
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from the Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly, Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), UNICEF, the Nigerian Police Force, and several international partners, all of whom have expressed their commitment to supporting the government’s reform agenda.