The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has recommended an improvement in the infrastructural facilities at the Correctional Study Centres of the university in the face of rising number of inmates seeking admissions.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the resilience of the inmate-students, who, despite numerous psycho-social setbacks inherent with incarceration, have embraced education as a means of rewriting their narratives.
Peters disclosed this when he and other Principal Officers paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakwuche, in his office.
The visit was in connection with the longstanding partnership between the university and NCoS in providing quality education to inmates.
During the meeting, the VC reminisced about the genesis of the collaboration, tracing it back to 2007 under the leadership of former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, when the university management responded to a request to extend educational opportunities to prisoners.
He also recalled how he participated in the initial assessment visit to Kirikiri Correctional facility in Lagos which led to the enrollment of the first inmates, as over time, the programme has grown exponentially.
Peters added that the initiative has now witnessed over 1,730 inmates passing through NOUN, while 259 have graduated so far.
The VC emphasised NOUN’s continued commitment to providing tuition-free education for all interested and qualified inmates.
He further encouraged NCoS to adopt innovative approaches to instill discipline and character transformation among inmate-students, as moral rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of learning.
He stressed that certificates are issued to those found worthy in learning and character.
To reinforce this, he suggested that deserving graduates among inmates be considered for clemency or sentence remission as an incentive for positive behavioral change.
In his response, the Acting C.G, Nwakwuche, expressed deep appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his team for the visit, describing it as a rare show of humility.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of ACG Ralph Ikeh and CC Dorah Ofobrukweta (both retired) in pioneering the NOUN programme within the correctional system.
In addition, he thanked NOUN management for its unwavering support in providing quality education to inmates, a feat he said, has earned NCoS both local and international recognitions including an award from UNESCO in 2018, accompanied by a cash prize and commendation.
While addressing the Vice-Chancellor’s requests, Mr. Nwakwuche assured that infrastructural upgrades in the centres would be prioritised.
He promised to strengthen psychological reorientation for the inmate-students, to regard character reformation as an integral part of the requirements for the award of the university’s certificate.
The NCoS boss, however, noted that some inmates had already benefited from sentence remission based on good conduct and industry.
The VC was accompanied in the visit by Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, DVC (Academic), Prof, Godwin I. Akper DVC (TIR), Mllam Nasiru Marafa (Bursar), C C Francis Enobore (Rtd) mni, Centre Director, Correctional Service Centre, among others.
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