Fifty-two inmates have commenced writing the 2026 NECO and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies examinations in Nigerian Correctional Service custodial centres in Kano.

This was noted in Kano, Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, noted this in a statement on Friday. He said the inmates’ writing of the examinations underscored the service’s commitment to inmate rehabilitation through education.

Mr Kofar-Nassarawa revealed that the candidates, comprising 41 males and 11 females, were drawn from various custodial centres across the state.

“Their participation reflects the Service’s sustained efforts to promote rehabilitation, reformation, and successful reintegration by providing inmates with access to quality education and skills development,” he said.

He said the controller of corrections in the state, Yusuf Ahmad-Lakpene, monitored the commencement of the examination at designated centres and described the exercise as another milestone in the Service’s correctional and rehabilitative mandate.

The controller urged the candidates to conduct themselves with discipline and integrity throughout the examination. 

According to the controller, education remains one of the most effective tools for transforming lives, reducing recidivism, and preparing inmates for productive reintegration into society upon completing their custodial terms.

He commended Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf for sponsoring the registration fees of the inmate-candidates.

“The intervention demonstrates the state government’s commitment to inclusive education and human capital development, extending educational opportunities to persons in custodial facilities,” he said.

Mr Ahmad-Lakpene reaffirmed the NCoS’s commitment to expanding educational programmes across custodial centres as part of its broader strategy to encourage learning, personal development, and lasting behavioural change among inmates.

(NAN)