In this piece, our Consulting Editor, Abba Onyekachukwu, assesses the inauguration of the reappointed members of the National and State Parole Boards for fresh three year tenure and unveiling new information, Education and Communication materials to deepen public awareness of non-custodial measures by Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS) within the week. The landmark event in Abuja, held in partnership with PRAWA and International IDEA, signals renewed push to ease prison congestion, cut recidivism, and strengthen rehabilitation under the Correctional Service Act, 2019. Read the excerpts.
The inauguration, held at the NCoS National Headquarters in Abuja, brought together National and State Parole Board members alongside civil society and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s criminal justice sector, according to a statement signed by JN Osuji, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Service Public Relations Officer.
Representing Controller-General of Corrections Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, Deputy Controller-General in charge of Human Resources, Ado Sale, PhD, mni, formally inaugurated the board members for a second term and welcomed them back to duty.
DCG Sale charged the reappointed members to strengthen coordination of parole administration nationwide, monitor implementation processes, address appeals and complaints from offenders, victims and affected persons, and recommend measures to enhance the effectiveness of the parole system.
He commended the boards for their diligence, professionalism and patriotism during their first tenure, noting that their efforts produced landmark achievements, including the historic parole release of 10 inmates in Umuahia.
DCG Sale stressed that parole remains a critical correctional tool for reducing recidivism, easing congestion in custodial centres, and promoting safer communities across Nigeria.
In his welcome address, Deputy Controller-General overseeing the Directorate of Non-Custodial Service, IN Idris, Esq., described the event as a reaffirmation of the Service’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, reintegration and public safety.
He noted that the Parole Board remains a cornerstone of the non-custodial framework established under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, providing deserving inmates with structured opportunities for supervised reintegration into society.
According to DCG Idris, the board’s objective assessment of parole applications and evidence-based recommendations have significantly contributed to custodial decongestion and the successful implementation of non-custodial measures nationwide.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PRAWA, Mr. Chris Eleya, described the occasion as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s correctional reform journey.
He observed that the enactment of the NCoS Act, 2019, ushered in a new era by providing a robust legal framework for parole, community service, restorative justice, and other alternatives to imprisonment.
Mr. Eleya emphasized that the effectiveness of parole as a rehabilitation and reintegration mechanism depends largely on the integrity, professionalism and commitment of board members. He urged them to ensure parole is administered in line with justice, accountability, public safety and the rule of law.
He added that the newly unveiled IEC materials are designed to increase public awareness, deepen understanding and strengthen stakeholder engagement on non-custodial measures across the country.
Delivering goodwill remarks on behalf of International IDEA, Mr. Joshua Dada congratulated the board members on their reappointment and commended their contributions to advancing parole administration in Nigeria.
He encouraged them to build on the successes of their first tenure and pursue even greater impact in the years ahead, particularly in expanding supervised release and community-based corrections.
The event featured reflections from several State Parole Board Chairpersons, including Hon. Justice Obisike Oji of Abia State, Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Esoagha of Edo State, Hon. Justice S.B. Candide-Johnson of Lagos State, and Hon. Justice Roseline Sha of Plateau State.
The chairpersons shared experiences from their first tenure, highlighted lessons learned, and outlined priorities for strengthening parole implementation, monitoring, and community partnerships during the new term.
Speaking on behalf of National Parole Board Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima (Rtd.), Prof. Michael Ezenwa reaffirmed the board’s commitment to promoting effective, transparent and accountable parole administration across Nigeria.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling and presentation of the Non-Custodial IEC materials, alongside Excellence and Leadership Awards presented to Parole Board members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to parole implementation and correctional reform.
