The Federal Government has approved the relocation of 29 prisons across the country as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the nation’s custodial facilities, citing their outdatedness as the core reason for this move.
Revealing this today while commissioning 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NSC) in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the relocation.
Highlighting that many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja and Ikoyi, were established in the 19th century and are outdated, Tunji-Ojo pointed out, “Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure. The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres.”
He stressed the urgent need for modernisation to improve conditions for both correctional officers and inmates, stressing that the relocation is part of a larger plan to address the infrastructural challenges hindering the effectiveness of the correctional system.
He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to reform, saying, “We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started.”
Tunji-Ojo further noted that this move is essential for creating a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as the current facilities no longer meet modern standards.
Assuring that efforts are being made to improve the welfare of correctional officers, he stated, “We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were.”
He added that relocating the correctional centres would further enhance the government’s broader reform agenda, which includes better conditions for both inmates and officers.
The minister highlighted the significant improvements made under President Tinubu’s administration regarding the welfare of correctional officers.
He explained that in the past two years, more than “50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted,” addressing long-standing issues in the promotion system.
