Six inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, have earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), highlighting the role of education in rehabilitation and reintegration.
The graduation ceremony, held in Abuja, recognized the resilience and determination of the inmates who pursued academic programmes while in custody.
The event also showcased NOUN’s commitment to inclusive education and the Nigeria Correctional Service’s (NCoS) mission to transform lives behind bars.
Speaking at the event, the Controller General of NCoS, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the graduates for their perseverance. Represented by the Deputy Controller General, Dr Amos Kupan, he said education builds capacity and demonstrates that incarceration is not a dead end but an opportunity for personal growth.
“The Service will continue to foster skills and educational opportunities that prepare inmates for lawful livelihoods and a better future after release,” Nwakuche said in a statement released by the Command Public Relations Officer, Samson Duza.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the six graduates earned two master’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and four bachelor’s degrees in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Political Science, Criminology, and Security Studies.
The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, congratulated the graduates, urging them to be good ambassadors of the correctional centre. He encouraged them to leverage their hard-earned degrees to uplift themselves upon release and to ensure that no one underestimates them.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, the Director of the NOUN Special Study Centre, Dr Francis Enobore, appreciated the NCoS for over 13 years of partnership in educational development. Enobore described the programme as a pathway of hope, emphasizing that NOUN’s flexible learning model allows even underserved populations to access education. He added that the university would expand such partnerships to reach more inmates across custodial centres.
“These graduates are living proof that learning mends, empowers, and restores pride,” Enobore said.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Abba Kyari thanked the NCoS Controller General, officers and staff of the Kuje Custodial Centre, as well as the Vice-Chancellor and management of NOUN, for providing the opportunity to pursue education while in custody. He explained that studying allowed them to reclaim their sense of direction and purpose, ensuring their time inside custody was meaningful.
The event also featured counselling sessions focused on re-entry, skill development, and community reintegration, with inmates committing to drive positive change and contribute meaningfully to society after release.
