By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives panel on reformatory institutions has advocated infrastructure upgrade of correctional centres across the country.
Chairman of the panel, Chinedu Ogah made the call during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the weekend in Abuja.
The panel expressed optimism on the ongoing reforms being implemented in correctional facilities, particularly in addressing overcrowding and poor feeding conditions.
The lawmaker said his committee had assessed various ongoing initiatives within the correctional system and found a compelling need for accelerated infrastructural development to support the reforms.
He noted that the visit to the minister was part of efforts to enhance legislative oversight and ensure that government policies reflect international best practices.
Ogah praised the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior for what he described as a firm commitment to correcting longstanding issues in custodial infrastructure and inmate welfare.
“This engagement is not just another oversight function. It is a deliberate effort to commend the interior minister’s strategic leadership and the measurable progress made under his watch,” Ogah said.
He further remarked that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was beginning to take root in the rehabilitation of reformatory institutions.
According to him, this has led to improved international perception of Nigeria’s correctional system, noticeable upgrades to facilities, and increased support for inmate rehabilitation.
“We came to acknowledge and appreciate the innovative leadership style of the Minister. The reforms we are seeing today speak to the intentionality of this administration. Nigerians are gaining more respect globally, and within our borders, change is visible in the correctional sector,” he said.
Ogah also applauded President Tinubu for appointing reform-oriented officials such as Hon. Tunji-Ojo and the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stating that their experience and focus on execution have brought credibility to the performance of the Interior Ministry.
In his response, Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the transformation of Nigeria’s correctional system was being driven by data and strategy rather than sentiment.
He said decisions regarding the siting of new custodial centres must be informed by population data and security considerations, not politics.
He pointed out that contrary to public belief, some correctional facilities are operating below maximum capacity.
He noted that project location and funding should be strictly based on national need and security concerns.
Tunji-Ojo also disclosed that the federal government’s goal goes beyond decongestion.
According to him, quality upgrades are underway, citing the Kuje Custodial Centre as a model facility where medical surgeries have been conducted successfully due to the availability of modern equipment and a fully functional medical laboratory.
In addition, the minister said President Tinubu had approved an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates, as part of broader efforts to restore dignity and ensure genuine rehabilitation.
He also discloses that thousands of inmates are now enrolled in vocational and life skills programmes, marking a shift from punitive incarceration to reformation and reintegration.
On the issue of security, Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of proper location for custodial facilities.
He called on the lawmakers to continue supporting legislation that would promote non-custodial sentencing options, encourage collaboration between federal and state governments, and provide funding for the strategic development of new facilities.
