In a bid to address the staggering poverty levels in Nigeria, the Presidency has unveiled plans to commence the training of 500 inmates in each correctional facility across the country. Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurial Education, revealed this initiative during a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Arogundade emphasized that the training program is a key component of the current administration’s strategy to reduce poverty, which affects an estimated 133 million people in Nigeria. Beyond confinement, she highlighted the program’s focus on fostering personal and professional growth opportunities for inmates, including vocational training. This holistic approach aims to equip inmates with skills and resources necessary for successful reintegration into society upon release, thereby investing in their future and contributing to societal well-being.
The training curriculum covers a range of disciplines, including fashion design, information technology, soap making, poultry farming, fishing, and more. Arogundade stressed that priority would be given to inmates nearing the end of their prison sentences.
“We’ve already initiated training at the Kuje Correctional Centre, conducting assessments and audits to tailor the program to meet the specific needs of the inmates,” Arogundade stated. “Upon completion of the training, each participant will receive financial support of N500,000 to establish their own businesses, reducing the risk of recidivism.”
Expanding on the scope of the program, Arogundade outlined plans to replicate the intervention in correctional facilities nationwide, starting with Suleja. She reiterated the goal of training a minimum of 500 inmates in each facility, underscoring the voluntary nature of the program and the importance of inmates’ willingness to participate.
Addressing the duration and structure of the training, Arogundade explained the two dimensions available: six-month and nine-month courses, tailored to individual preferences and aspirations. Additionally, beneficiaries will receive support in setting up their businesses, including the provision of kiosks equipped with multiple income-generating opportunities such as hairdressing services and point-of-sale (POS) businesses.
“We are forging partnerships with banks to supply POS machines, enabling beneficiaries to diversify their income streams,” Arogundade elaborated. “This multi-purpose intervention is designed to empower inmates with the skills and resources needed for sustainable livelihoods post-incarceration.”
