Babangida Isah-led NYCN donates to Kuje, Suleja Correctional Centres, seeks prison reforms

By Yahaya Idris, Abuja

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), led by it’s National President Comr. Babangida Onimisi Isah, has recently made a humanitarian and advocacy visit to Nigerian Correctional facilities in Kuje (FCT) and Suleja (Niger State).

During the visit, the NYCN National President donated substantial quantities of food items, clothing materials, sanitary pads, and other essential supplies to the inmates, reinforcing its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian youths, including those in correctional centers.

Comr. Babangida Onimisi Isah commended the Nigerian Correctional Service for its sustained efforts in humanizing the custodial environment.

He said the visit was part of NYCN’s ongoing engagement and partnership with correctional and governmental bodies to uplift youths in custody, ensuring their welfare and encouraging reforms that support reintegration into society after release.

He said the visit included advocacy for the welfare of inmates and support through material donations, aimed at improving the living conditions and supporting the rehabilitation processes within the correctional facilities in the country.

Amb. Babangida Onimisi Isah, praised the Nigerian Correctional Service making progress, including skill acquisition and vocational training programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates, for fostering genuine rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Global Times Nigeria reports that serious concerns remain about the poor state of infrastructure and overcrowding in many facilities, including Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres.

“These facilities suffer from dilapidated buildings, overcrowding – often exceeding capacity by several times – and inadequate living conditions that hinder effective rehabilitation.”

There are systemic problems including prolonged detention of awaiting-trial inmates due to delays in the justice system, corruption within the correctional institutions, and inadequate funding for necessary infrastructure upgrades.

“These issues contribute to prison congestion and undermine public confidence in the justice system.”

Though the federal government has initiated some upgrades to select custodial centres like Kuje and Suleja, more comprehensive and widespread improvements are urgently needed to meet international minimum standards for custodial care and security.

Amb. Isah’s call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Interior to prioritize upgrading all custodial centres which aligns with widespread expert recommendations that focus on improving infrastructure, eliminating corruption, expediting judicial processes, and expanding vocational and educational programs.

“These steps are essential to transforming Nigerian prisons from mere detention centres of your life of your to rehabilitation-focused institutions that support successful societal reintegration of offenders.”