The Federal Government, on Friday, decorated the newly confirmed Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, with a firm charge to deliver on critical reforms in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
At the brief but symbolic ceremony held in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, tasked Nwakuche to justify the confidence reposed in him by the President, stressing that his leadership must lay a solid foundation for comprehensive transformation across correctional facilities in the country before November 2026.
According to the Minister, the time has come to shift the narrative of correctional centres from places of punishment to institutions of rehabilitation, reintegration, and national development.
“The onions are now on you to design and implement strategies that will make inmates add value to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. You must not disappoint Mr President, and you must not disappoint me. It will amount to failure if inmates return to crime after serving their terms. Our correctional centres must become hubs of reform, not places of condemnation,” Tunji-Ojo declared.
He noted that the over 80,000 inmates across 256 facilities must be treated with dignity and seen as individuals capable of positive change.
The Minister added that there was no time to waste, urging the new CG to lead with clarity, compassion, and vision.
Dr Tunji-Ojo maintained that the Federal Government is keenly monitoring the performance of all heads of agencies and expects visible reforms within the next six months.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, reiterated the ministry’s full backing for Nwakuche, while emphasising the need for urgency in actualising reforms.
She disclosed that records are being kept on all agency heads, and performance will be a key basis for continued support.
In his response, the new Controller-General, Nwakuche, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Minister, and the Senate for the opportunity to serve at the helm of the NCoS.
He described his appointment as a defining moment for him and the Service.
Outlining his roadmap, Nwakuche highlighted seven core pillars of his administration: security, prison decongestion, infrastructure development, staff capacity building and welfare, inmate welfare, juvenile offender management, and strategic collaborations.
“Between December 16th, 2024, when I assumed office in acting capacity, and 30th April 2025, I have met with over 25 heads of government agencies and development partners. These engagements are already yielding results, and I intend to build stronger institutional partnerships going forward,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that he would work tirelessly to turn the Service into a model of correction and transformation, in line with the expectations of the Renewed Hope Agenda.