By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Ogun State Controller of Corrections, Kamarudeen Adesina, has announced that more than 550 inmates across the state’s correctional facilities successfully obtained academic qualifications and vocational training between 2024 and 2025.

Adesina revealed that over 300 inmates graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), while another 250 earned certificates from Yewa Central College of Education. He disclosed this during an award ceremony organized by the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organization in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to him, the milestone reflects the Nigerian Correctional Service’s (NCoS) commitment to rehabilitation through education, skills acquisition, and counseling initiatives designed to drive behavioral change and ensure smooth reintegration of inmates into society. He added that officers are also being trained to enhance capacity and service delivery.

Highlighting the progress, Adesina said: “We have graduated over 300 inmates from NOUN, 250 from Yewa Central College of Education, and many others in different vocational fields. In terms of public protection, we safeguard society through safe, secure, and humane custody of offenders while upholding their rights and dignity.”

Commending the achievement, the convener of the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organization, Dannis Efe-Khaese, praised Adesina’s leadership, describing him as a man committed to excellence. He, however, urged for stronger monitoring of freed inmates, stressing that while reformation within prison is effective, reintegration into society remains a weak point.

Efe-Khaese noted: “After release, many ex-inmates struggle without support, and some even return to crime. Reintegration programs are critical to prevent them from ending up back in prison.”

In response, Adesina maintained that freed inmates are being monitored but appealed for public support, particularly from families and communities, to help reduce stigmatization and aid their full reintegration into society.