The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated 70 inmates at the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre, Enugu, as part of efforts to expand access to higher education and support rehabilitation through learning.
Speaking at the matriculation ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, in Enugu, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, described the development as a milestone in the Service’s correctional education programme. Represented by the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Zone M, Prisca Oku, he said education remained an important tool for reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Udoma Oji Udoma, represented by the Director of the university’s Enugu Study Centre, Prof. Loveth Ekwueme, said the institution provides 100 per cent tuition-free education to inmates at any level. He said the initiative reflected NOUN’s commitment to inclusivity, national development and social justice, while giving inmates an opportunity to transform their lives through knowledge.
The Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre, Dr Sunday Igwe, said the study centre, which began in July 2011 with 12 students, had grown to 262. He described education as a key instrument for human development, rehabilitation, empowerment and successful reintegration into society.
The new students were admitted into programmes including Public Administration, Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Criminology and Security Studies, with the ceremony featuring oath-taking and the cutting of the matriculation cake.
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