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JUST IN: Tinubu approves relocation of 29 custodial centres
President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the nation’s custodial facilities.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, confirmed this development during the commissioning of 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.
Tunji-Ojo highlighted that many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja and Ikoyi, were established in the 19th century and are outdated.
“Suleja Correctional Centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure.
“The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres,” he stated.
The minister emphasised the urgent need for modernisation to improve conditions for both correctional officers and inmates, noting that the relocation is part of a larger plan to address the infrastructural challenges hindering the effectiveness of the correctional system.
He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to reform, saying, “We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started.”
Tunji-Ojo further noted that this move is essential for creating a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as the current facilities no longer meet modern standards.
The minister also spoke about ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of correctional officers.
“We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were,” he stated, referencing significant improvements in officer promotions and welfare.
He added that relocating the correctional centres would further enhance the government’s broader reform agenda, which includes better conditions for both inmates and officers.
The minister highlighted the significant improvements made under President Tinubu’s administration regarding the welfare of correctional officers.
He explained that in the past two years, more than “50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted,” addressing long-standing issues in the promotion system.
He added that, for the first time in history, the promotion system within the service had undergone a complete overhaul, with officers now experiencing timely career progression.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke about the broader vision for the future of Nigeria’s paramilitary and correctional services.
“We are building a system where the paramilitary will be at the centre of internal security in Nigeria.
This is a function of capacity, and capacity is a function of knowledge acquisition,” he explained.
He emphasised the importance of professionalising correctional services, noting that recruitment practices should be rigorous and in line with international standards.
“We are encouraging our officers and ensuring that they are properly trained.
But beyond that, we must ensure that the correctional system is not just about punishment but also about rehabilitation and transformation,” the minister added.
In his address, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed his enthusiasm for the new acquisitions, which include specialised vehicles for transporting inmates to and from courts.
The vehicles will be distributed to various commands based on operational needs and demand.
In addition to the escort vehicles, the NCoS also unveiled five bullet-resistant guard booths.
These booths, stationed at strategic locations, including the National Headquarters in Abuja and several high-security custodial centres in Kuje, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos, are designed to secure facilities against external attacks.
Equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities, the booths offer resistance to high-level threats, including heavy weaponry and explosives.
“The acquisition of these vehicles directly responds to the evolving challenges faced by the NCoS, particularly in ensuring the timely production of inmates in courts.
As clearly outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, one of our core functions is the ‘conveyance of remand persons to and from courts in motorised formations.’
“These new additions to our fleet will significantly bolster our capacity to meet this critical aspect of our mandate,” Nwakuche added.
Nwakuche also highlighted the significance of the new fleet in addressing the growing issue of Awaiting Trial Persons in custody.
As of February 17, 2025, the NCoS reported a total inmate population of 80,066, with 66 per cent being pretrial detainees.
“With this strengthened fleet, we are poised to improve court attendance, thus playing our part in the swift administration of justice and contributing to the overall decongestion of our correctional facilities.
“This development aligns perfectly with the broader vision of the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian Correctional Service for enhanced efficiency, professionalism, and compliance with international best practices,” he said.
The Acting Controller-General also extended his appreciation to NCoS officers for their professionalism and dedication, urging them to ensure the responsible use and regular maintenance of the new vehicles and guard booths.
“Let us continue to discharge our duties with dedication, integrity, and professionalism. Together, we can build a correctional system that reflects the values of justice, security, and humanity,” he concluded.
.….Moves to Strengthen Integrity in Sports..
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC), reaffirming its commitment to promoting fairness, integrity and excellence in sports.
Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the inauguration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s sporting development and a significant step towards ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, delivering the inaugural speech during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July 2026 in Abuja.
Akume said that the inauguration follows the enactment of the National Anti-Doping Act 2025, which established the NADC as a statutory body with the legal authority to implement Nigeria’s anti-doping obligations in line with international regulations.
He noted that the Centre represents the government’s response to past doping challenges that have affected Nigeria’s reputation in global sports competitions.
The SGF charged members of the newly inaugurated Technical Board to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, independence and accountability, and emphasized that the Board’s mandate includes athlete education, prevention of doping violations, protection of clean athletes and enforcement of anti-doping regulations across all levels of sports development.
(L-R) The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. H. M. Omidiran; the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON; Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi and the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, during the inauguration ceremony of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.
Meanwhile ,Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, pledged continued legislative support for the anti-doping programme, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing sports development through increased funding, describing sports as a strategic tool for national growth and international recognition.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the inauguration as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the sports sector.
He urged the Board to promote integrity and accountability while expanding anti-doping awareness to schools, youth competitions, sports academies and federations nationwide.
(6th left) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, in a group photograph with the members of the Technical Board of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Centre (NADC) during the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026 in Abuja.
In a landmark move towards modernisation and efficiency, Nigeria’s Supreme Court has unveiled a new comprehensive digital system designed to eliminate manual processes across its operations.
The initiative, announced on Thursday, aims to transform the apex court’s judicial administration by digitising filing, case tracking, judgments, and record-keeping, which have long relied on paper-based systems.
According to a statement from the Supreme Court, the digital platform will enable electronic filing of cases, real-time case status updates, virtual access to court records, and automated workflows to reduce delays and human error.
“This digital transformation marks a new era in the administration of justice in Nigeria,” a senior court official said. “It will significantly cut down on the bottlenecks associated with manual documentation, enhance transparency, and improve access to justice for all citizens.”
The new system is expected to address longstanding challenges including lost files, prolonged adjournments caused by missing documents, and inefficiencies in the appellate process. It aligns with broader e-governance efforts across federal institutions and is projected to save time and resources while minimising physical contact in line with global best practices.
Implementation is set to begin in phases, starting with appellate filings and extending to full operations within the next few months. Training programmes for judges, lawyers, and court staff have already commenced to ensure a smooth transition.
Legal practitioners and stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as long overdue. “This will revolutionise how we interact with the judiciary,” said a senior advocate. “No more waiting for physical files or chasing paper trails.”
The Supreme Court assured that the platform will incorporate robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive judicial data.
This reform is seen as a significant step in strengthening the rule of law and modernising Nigeria’s justice delivery system.
In a major cultural and modernisation shift for Nigeria’s youth service programme, the traditional khaki uniform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to be replaced with outfits made from Adire fabric, a iconic indigenous tie-and-dye textile.
The announcement forms part of sweeping reforms approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition the NYSC for a changing economy and to promote national pride through local culture.
According to details of the reform package, the current standard white T-shirt and khaki trousers will give way to Adire-designed uniforms that retain the NYSC logo. The changes also include replacing heavy boots with Crocs and lighter training shoes, alongside a shift from the traditional Passing Out Parade (POP) to a new graduation ceremony.
The move is expected to boost local textile industries, particularly Adire production, which is deeply rooted in Yoruba cultural heritage and primarily produced in southwestern Nigeria. Adire, known for its vibrant patterns created through resist-dyeing techniques, has long been celebrated as a symbol of Nigerian creativity and identity.
The reforms stem from recommendations aimed at enhancing professionalism, improving camp conditions, and aligning the NYSC with contemporary realities more than 50 years after its establishment. Legal amendments to the NYSC Act are expected to follow to fully implement the changes.
This development has sparked mixed reactions online, with some hailing it as a welcome embrace of indigenous culture and others viewing it as a symbolic departure from the scheme’s original military-style discipline.
Further details on the timeline for rollout and design specifications are anticipated from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in the coming weeks.
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