By Joy Onu
The Nigerian Correctional Service has commenced its 2026 farming season with a renewed emphasis on using agriculture as a central pillar for inmate rehabilitation, skills development, and national food production.
The official flag-off ceremony took place at the Dukpa Farm Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where the Service restated its commitment to repositioning correctional facilities as centres of productivity and transformation.
Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, used the occasion to advocate a shift in how society views inmates, noting that persons in custody should be regarded as individuals undergoing preparation for reintegration rather than mere detainees.
He explained that the agricultural programme remains a strategic component of the Service’s reform agenda, designed to equip inmates with practical competencies that can support their reintegration into society after release.
According to him, the initiative also contributes directly to the Federal Government’s broader food security objectives, while simultaneously turning correctional facilities into active contributors to the economy.
Nwakuche stressed that government efforts alone are not sufficient to maximise the potential of the programme, calling for stronger collaboration with private sector actors through structured partnerships.
He revealed that the Service currently has access to more than 12,000 hectares of farmland across its various centres, adding that optimal productivity would require increased investment in technology, infrastructure, and agricultural expertise.
The Controller-General further encouraged inmates engaged in the farming activities to take the programme seriously, describing it as a life-changing opportunity that can shape their future beyond incarceration.
He expressed confidence that the early commencement of the 2026 farming season would enhance output and improve overall performance across NCoS agricultural centres nationwide.
Nwakuche also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their backing of reforms within the correctional system, describing their leadership as instrumental to ongoing transformation efforts.
The event featured the ceremonial commencement of planting activities, tours of the farm facilities, and engagements with inmates, reinforcing the Service’s evolving approach to corrections anchored on productivity, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
