The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has awarded degree certificates to six inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, in a move reaffirming the institution’s commitment to inclusive education and rehabilitation.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Abuja, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, praised the inmates for their resilience and determination in pursuing higher education while in custody.
In a statement issued by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Samson Duza, Nwakuche disclosed that the graduates completed various NOUN programmes during their incarceration. According to him, the beneficiaries earned two Master’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, as well as four Bachelor’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Political Science, Criminology and Security Studies.
Represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Amos Kupan, the Controller-General said the achievement highlighted NOUN’s role in expanding access to education and the NCoS’s focus on rehabilitation and successful reintegration of inmates into society.
“Education transforms lives, builds capacity and proves that incarceration is not a dead end but an opportunity for growth and reintegration,” he said, adding that the Service would continue to promote educational and vocational programmes to prepare inmates for lawful livelihoods after release.
In his welcome address, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Mr Christopher Jen, congratulated the graduates and urged them to be good ambassadors of the custodial centre. He encouraged them to use their certificates to improve their lives upon discharge and to pursue further education.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, the Director of the NOUN Special Study Centre, Dr Francis Enobore, commended the Nigeria Correctional Service for over 13 years of partnership in educational development. Enobore, a retired Controller of Corrections, described the initiative as a “pathway of hope,” stressing that NOUN’s open and distance learning model enables even marginalised persons to access quality education.
He added that the university would expand the programme to reach more inmates across custodial centres nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Abba Kyari expressed gratitude to the management of NOUN and the Nigeria Correctional Service for the opportunity to study while in custody. He said the programme restored their sense of purpose and assured that the knowledge acquired would be put to positive use.
Highlights of the event included counselling sessions on re-entry, skills development and community reintegration, as the graduates pledged to contribute meaningfully to society upon their release.
