The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has registered over 10,000 inmates for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams in the past five years. According to the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, more than 2,000 inmates are enrolled annually for these exams across correctional facilities nationwide.
This reflects the growing success and acceptance of the NCoS’ educational programs. However, the service faces significant challenges in delivering educational services to inmates, including a lack of dedicated budget for registering inmates for external exams. The NCoS relies on donations from philanthropists and organizations to provide educational materials and cover registration fees.
The spokesperson called on NECO, WAEC, and JAMB to offer exam waivers for inmates, as NOUN has done, to facilitate their rehabilitation and resettlement. He also highlighted the psychological challenges faced by inmates, which often hinder their ability to focus on academic activities.
To modernize educational offerings, the NCoS is increasingly turning to digital learning platforms, which are being integrated into an e-corrections system. This will make education more accessible to inmates through distance learning programs.