Key points
- The 36 matriculants include 25 undergraduates, nine master’s and two PhD students.
- The ceremony was held on Friday at the Ikoyi custodial centre.
- It is part of a NOUN and Nigerian Correctional Service partnership on inmate education.
The National Open University of Nigeria has matriculated 36 students at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos State, as part of efforts to promote education, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
The ceremony, held on Friday, covered 25 undergraduates, nine master’s degree students and two Doctor of Philosophy candidates, according to a statement from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command.
Controller of Corrections Daramola George urged the students to stay disciplined and committed. He described the opportunity as a pathway to personal development and better prospects after release.
“Education remained a vital component” of the service’s mandate to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates, he said.
Welcoming the new students
Prof. Inua Ofe, director of NOUN’s Lagos Study Centre in Victoria Island, formally welcomed the matriculants into the university and administered the oath.
Representatives of the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections for Zone A and other correctional officials attended.
Partners behind the program
Organizations supporting rehabilitation also took part, including Baptist Prison Ministry, House on the Rock, TREM and BITS BY MANI.
The officer in charge of the centre, Ebereonwu Ogueri, thanked NOUN, the service leadership and the partners.
In addition, the command said it remains committed to partnerships that give inmates recognized qualifications and prepare them for productive lives after custody.
