In a bold move to address the overcrowding crisis and strengthen the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recruitment of 5,000 new personnel into the service.
The announcement came from Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, the Acting Comptroller General of the NCS, during his appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, led by Hon. Chinedu Ogar.
Speaking at the hearing on Wednesday, Ndidi explained that although the approval for the recruitment had been granted by the president in August 2024, the process had been delayed. The reason, he revealed, was a shortfall in funding, which had hampered the ability to meet the salary and allowance requirements for the new recruits.
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However, Ndidi assured lawmakers that the recruitment would proceed, contingent on the approval from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), with the necessary budgetary allocations now included in the 2025 fiscal year.
Committee members, particularly Mr. Victor Ogene of Anambra, expressed their concerns about the ongoing delay, emphasizing the critical need for the recruitment to address the persistent overcrowding in correctional facilities across the country.
Hon. Ogene urged the NCS to work more closely with the committee to ensure the swift implementation of the recruitment.
He said, “Some of us have been inquiring for months about whether this recruitment is happening behind closed doors, and we will not accept such an outcome. This process should be transparent and timely,” Ogene stated.
While responding, Ndidi attributed the delay to the lack of cash backing, which had prevented the service from hiring the 5,000 new personnel despite the presidential directive. However, he reiterated that the process would begin once funding is officially confirmed.
According to him, “The budget presentation was another significant topic of discussion.” Ndidi, who spent over an hour addressing questions from lawmakers, presented the NCS’s proposed 2025 budget, which stands at N183.6 billion.
“This includes N127 billion earmarked for personnel costs, N45.8 billion for overheads, and N13.4 billion for capital expenditures. Notably, a staggering N38 billion is allocated for feeding the country’s 91,100 inmates, at a daily cost of N1,125 per person.”
The Acting Comptroller General also voiced concerns over a reduction in capital expenditure, which was slashed by N762 million, and called for an additional N70.4 billion in funding. He stressed that this extra allocation would be used to modernize custodial facilities, enhance security, and digitize inmate management.
“To ensure the effective running of the service, we need advanced technology in our facilities. This includes CCTV surveillance, biometric scanners, body cameras for our staff, and state-of-the-art security systems across all correctional centers,” Ndidi explained.
The NCS’s modernization plans also include upgrading its seven training institutions to meet modern ICT standards and purchasing new operational vehicles and arms for security personnel. The service aims to foster a safer, more efficient environment for both inmates and staff.
“With President Tinubu’s directive now in place and the necessary financial provisions in the 2025 budget, the Nigerian Correctional Service is poised for a significant transformation. Whether this overhaul will alleviate the longstanding issues of overcrowding and inadequate personnel remains to be seen, but the steps taken thus far suggest a much-needed shift in the country’s correctional system.” he stated.
