The Oyo Command of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) says plans are underway to secure National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) study centre approvals in 2026, enabling tertiary education access for inmates with longer sentences.
The Command’s spokesperson, SC Olanrewaju Anjorin, in a statement on Wednesday said the planned initiative reinforces education as a cornerstone of rehabilitation, transforming inmates into productive citizens.
This is even as the Command successfully concluded the 2025/2026 NECO General Certificate Examination across two facilities, with a total of 46 inmates completing the assessments, which ran from November 26 to December 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the Command’s educational rehabilitation efforts.
The examination, which ended with the English Language paper, saw 21 inmates participate at the Medium Security Custodial Centre Agodi, Ibadan, and 25 inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre Abolongo, Oyo—the latter’s first NECO examination centre, approved earlier this year.
“The Agodi facility, with an impressive 85% success rate in candidates securing five credits including Mathematics and English since 2018, continues to lead in preparing inmates for academic success”, Anjorin stated, adding that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, who emphasized rehabilitation through education, skills, and psychosocial support to reduce recidivism.
Inmates expressed gratitude, with one stating, “this examination has given us hope beyond these walls.”
