The Federal Government has initiated vocational training programs aimed at empowering inmates in Nigeria’s 241 correctional facilities, preparing them for successful reintegration into society after their incarceration. This initiative was announced during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday by Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education.
Arogundade emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to the reintegration of inmates into society and revealed that each participant in the vocational training program would receive a grant of N500,000 upon completion. This financial support aims to assist them in setting up their own businesses and reducing the likelihood of reoffending after leaving the correctional centers.
The Nigerian Correctional Service operates various types of facilities across the country, including custodial centers, farm centers, open camps, institutions, training schools, and non-custodial services. The vocational training program will initially target 500 inmates from each facility, starting with a pilot scheme at the Kuje Correctional Center, which currently houses 723 inmates.
Arogundade outlined the various vocational skills offered in the program, including fashion design, computer training, hairdressing, fish farming, soap making, and poultry farming. The aim is to equip inmates with valuable skills that are in demand and can lead to sustainable livelihoods upon their release.
The program is also designed to provide inmates with training in entrepreneurship and financial management. By partnering with banks and other financial institutions, the initiative aims to support participants in setting up their own businesses and generating income through various means, such as operating kiosks equipped with point-of-sale (POS) systems and phone charging services.
Furthermore, the vocational training program draws inspiration from successful models implemented in other countries, such as Norway, known for its low rate of recidivism among former inmates. The goal is to ensure that inmates are adequately prepared for life after incarceration, reducing the likelihood of reoffending and contributing positively to society upon their release.
