By Victor Nwegede
In a historic stride towards prison reform and educational empowerment, no fewer than 28 inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, have gained admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as pioneer students of the newly established Special Study Centre inside the facility.
Among the admitted students, 25 enrolled in various undergraduate programmes while three secured admission into master’s degree programmes, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the inmates whose incarceration has now been matched with fresh opportunities for rehabilitation through education.
The milestone was announced during the commissioning of the NOUN Special Study Centre by the member representing Ezza/Ikwo Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah.
Ogah, who also facilitated the establishment of the centre through his foundation, expressed delight at the commencement of academic activities in the facility.
He commended the collaborative efforts of stakeholders who, according to him, have shown genuine commitment to reforms that go beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation.
“The school has been equipped with modern facilities, and everything including the school fees, books, and other materials is completely free,” Ogah assured the inmates.
“There’s a reason God brought you to the correctional centre. Use this opportunity to transform your life and secure a better future," he further stated.
He also commended the vision of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, describing the project as a complement to the governor’s sustained investment in education.
Ogah recalled that Governor Nwifuru has so far awarded more than 1,000 postgraduate scholarships within and outside Nigeria, a gesture he said aligns with the spirit of the new study centre.
Representing the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone “M”, Lolo Prisca Oku, confirmed that the 28 inmates had been formally admitted into NOUN. She applauded Ogah and his partners for ensuring that the project was not only completed but also adequately furnished for immediate use.
“The Mercy Foundation under the Sundan Mission, Netherlands, and other development partners have been instrumental in equipping this facility,” she noted.
“This commissioning represents more than just the opening of a study hall—it is the opening of doors of hope for inmates who now have the opportunity to change the narrative of their lives," she added.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of NOUN Special Study Centres, Mrs. Modupe Adesina, revealed that over 2,000 inmates across the country have so far benefited from NOUN scholarships.
She added that more than 200 have graduated while still in custody, earning qualifications that enhanced their reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
“This new Abakaliki Special Study Centre is part of a broader national vision to transform correctional facilities into true reformation centres,” Mrs. Adesina said.
The commissioning was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters; the Registrar, Mrs. Martina Njoku; the Director of the Abakaliki Study Centre, Dr. Amah Udu Aka; senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service; and representatives of the Ebonyi State Government, among others.
They collectively hailed the project as a game-changer, stressing that it would not only empower inmates with knowledge but also reduce recidivism, as beneficiaries would return to society as better citizens.
