NCoS, REA Drive Inmate Rehabilitation with Renewable Energy Initiative

The Federal Government has taken a significant step to improve power supply and promote inmate rehabilitation by launching a renewable energy initiative across Nigeria’s correctional centres.

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja to roll out solar mini-grids and establish vocational training hubs within custodial facilities nationwide.

At the signing ceremony, the Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, described the move as a milestone in improving living standards and providing hope for the over 81,000 inmates held in correctional facilities across the country.

“This partnership is not just about power—it’s about giving second chances. Many of our inmates are eager for change, and this will give them access to the tools and knowledge they need to rebuild their lives,” he said.

Nwakuche also highlighted that the project would support ongoing rehabilitation efforts by enabling access to digital education and vocational training, particularly through existing partnerships with institutions like the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

REA Managing Director and CEO, Abba Aliyu, noted that the agreement underscores the agency’s commitment to practical development. He cited similar collaborations—such as the deployment of smart police stations in partnership with the Police Trust Fund—as examples of how the REA turns plans into impact.

“We are deploying solar infrastructure where it’s never been done before—within prisons. These centres are often neglected in development planning, but through this partnership, we’re transforming them into hubs of opportunity and reform,” Aliyu said.

According to him, the REA has already secured substantial funding from both local and international financiers, including ₦100 billion from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and $20 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to support energy access across key institutions.

He added that reliable power is essential to support inmates’ access to online education, skill development, and reintegration support, stressing that the ultimate goal is to prepare them for productive life after incarceration.