A new chapter may be unfolding for Nigeria’s correctional system as Sylvester Nwakuche officially steps into his role as the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), with a clear message from the Federal Government: transform the system.
At a ceremony held Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, used the occasion not just to decorate Nwakuche but to challenge him — boldly and publicly — to break with the past and lead with purpose.
“You’re stepping into a role that demands more than routine,” the minister said. “What we need now is vision, structure, and compassion. Your task is not just to oversee prisons, but to lead a system that can truly correct.”
Overseeing more than 250 custodial centers nationwide, Nwakuche has been given 19 months to lay a firm foundation — a mandate that includes raising standards, restoring purpose to correctional facilities, and most importantly, reorienting the system from punishment to rehabilitation.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the country needs a service that heals, not harms. “These facilities should not be the end of hope for inmates. They should be where new beginnings are shaped,” he said, describing inmates as potential contributors to society rather than mere detainees.
The minister’s sentiment was echoed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, who added, “This moment demands more than tradition. We want to rebuild not just systems, but lives. And Nigerians are watching.”
In his response, CG Nwakuche didn’t shy away from the weight of the challenge. He described his appointment as “a moment of service, not status” and laid out a comprehensive seven-point agenda. Key priorities include tightening security, reducing prison congestion, enhancing staff welfare, modernizing infrastructure, and expanding rehabilitation efforts — particularly for young offenders.
“The majority of those in our facilities are still awaiting trial,” Nwakuche noted. “We must change that reality. We’ll collaborate with the judiciary, states, and legal actors to move things forward.”
He also emphasized the importance of non-custodial measures, especially in minor cases, as part of a broader strategy to reduce pressure on the system. Staff training and improved living and working conditions are also part of the vision, alongside plans to revive Borstal Institutions — reform homes for juvenile offenders — and give young people a second chance.
“Our youths shouldn’t be written off,” he said. “We’re going to create an environment where they can turn their lives around.”
Nwakuche’s appointment as the head of the NCoS was confirmed by the Senate in March, following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of him in December 2024. He succeeds Haliru Nababa, with a promise to steer the service toward integrity, innovation, and impact.
As the nation watches, expectations are high — not just for a change in leadership, but for a transformation in approach. And for Nwakuche, the next 19 months will be a test of both policy and principle.
