Abuja | July 29, 2025 — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to address persistent power challenges in correctional centres across the country.
This collaboration was unveiled on Monday in Abuja, as both agencies committed to improving electricity supply to custodial facilities, many of which have long suffered from unreliable and inadequate power, affecting both security and rehabilitation activities.
Speaking at the event, the Controller General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, said the agency’s facilities require steady electricity to maintain surveillance systems, operate workshops, and support the health and welfare of inmates. He described the partnership with REA as a timely intervention that would enhance service delivery in correctional institutions nationwide.
According to Nababa, “Stable electricity in our centres will not only boost security operations but also aid skill acquisition and reform programmes aimed at rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for reintegration into society.”
On his part, the Managing Director of REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deploying renewable energy solutions and off-grid power systems to public institutions, particularly those in underserved areas. He disclosed that feasibility assessments have already begun in select correctional centres as part of the pilot phase.
He said, “This collaboration with the NCoS aligns with REA’s mission to improve access to reliable electricity in critical public facilities. We aim to deploy sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions that will have a long-term impact on correctional services.”
The initiative is part of broader federal efforts to modernize the country’s correctional infrastructure and improve human rights conditions in line with global standards. Observers believe the partnership could significantly reduce operational costs and improve the overall management of correctional facilities if properly executed.
