President Bola Tinubu has granted approval for the employment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses to address the medical needs of inmates across correctional centres in the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who also announced that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would now post medical doctors to correctional centres for their service year, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals in society.
The announcement was made in a statement by the minister’s special assistant on media and publicity, Alao Babatunde, on Thursday.
The Minister also revealed that existing medical staff within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) will be allowed to extend their service beyond the usual retirement age to cover staffing shortages in the interim.
LEADERSHIP recalls that prior to Tunji-Ojo’s appointment as Interior Minister, States like Rivers faced significant gaps in medical personnel for inmate care, highlighting the need for the intervention.
The recruitment initiative, according to the statement, was expected to ease unemployment concerns and will continue as a regular exercise.
In other updates, the minister shared that the renovation of the Kuje Correctional Centre in FCT has been completed. The facility has undergone a complete transformation, now boasting upgraded cells, improved water supply, and a modernised hospital, all in line with President Tinubu’s vision for sustainable solutions to long-term problems.
“It’s entirely new—from the cells to the water supply, to the hospital and more. The President’s focus is on building a system that stands the test of time, providing both short-term solutions for immediate needs and long-term strategies for future challenges,” the Minister emphasised.
The Minister also announced approval for the establishment of a National Para-military Academy, a degree-awarding institution aimed at training young Nigerians in paramilitary disciplines.
He disclosed that the academy will offer a structured programme for students to graduate as officers, ready to contribute to national security after passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
On visa processing, he revealed that all Nigerian visa applications would now be processed online, with approvals or rejections expected within 48 to 72 hours.
Regarding security, the minister discussed ongoing efforts to enhance the Private Guard Sector ( PSC), including the implementation of a Guard Management System (GMS) to automate and improve operational processes, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s security infrastructure.
Tunji-Ojo further expressed gratitude for the continuous support of President Tinubu in achieving the goals of all the agencies under his Ministry.