President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses to strengthen healthcare services in correctional centres across the country.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, when the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, paid him a courtesy visit.
Tunji-Ojo said the approval followed the shortage of medical personnel in several correctional facilities nationwide.
According to him, some correctional centres currently operate without doctors, citing a facility in Rivers State where inmates reportedly have no access to a medical doctor.
He noted that despite the shortage, some correctional hospitals possess advanced equipment capable of handling major surgical procedures.
“The president understands that he is the president of all Nigerians, including inmates. As a father to all, he has consistently shown concern for their welfare,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister also said the federal government had intensified efforts to reform inmates through capacity-building initiatives.
He explained that under a “train-the-trainer” programme, inmates with existing skills are identified and empowered to train other inmates within correctional centres.
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“We conducted inmate skills audits across correctional centres to identify the competencies they possess.
“Those with skills are empowered to train others, and those who complete the programmes are supported,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo added that the administration had improved welfare in correctional facilities, including a 50 percent increase in inmates’ feeding allowance.
He urged the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to help showcase the reforms and achievements of the Interior Ministry to Nigerians.
The minister also highlighted collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development through the deployment of “mine marshals” under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to secure mining sites.
According to him, the initiative has led to a reduction in criminal activities and violence around mining areas while strengthening the protection of critical national assets.
