The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has commenced its 2026 farming season nationwide, symbolically flagged off at the Dukpa Farm Centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Friday. Controller-General Sylvester Nwakuche said the initiative aims to transform correctional farmlands into agribusiness hubs, supporting national food security while rehabilitating inmates through vocational training. The Dukpa facility runs crop production, poultry, piggery and cattle rearing as part of an integrated farming model.
Nwakuche stated the programme equips inmates with practical skills to become productive after discharge, calling them "awaiting assets" rather than just "awaiting trial." He noted that despite strong inmate participation in the 2025 season, financial returns were hurt by falling market prices and natural disasters affecting facilities and output. Still, the service recorded success in keeping inmates productively engaged.
The 2026 season's early start is expected to improve productivity, with enhanced planning and operational strategies in place. Nwakuche highlighted the need for private sector collaboration in mechanisation, funding and technical expertise, saying government alone cannot sustain the scale required. While awaiting trial inmates are not currently involved, the service is exploring technology and improved security to allow their participation in future.
The initiative will be implemented across all NCoS farm centres, some of which are larger than Dukpa. Nwakuche credited President Bola Tinubu and Interior Minister Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for supporting the service's reform agenda, including improvements in staff welfare, inmate engagement and infrastructure.
Sylvester Nwakuche claims inmates are being turned into "awaiting assets," yet excluded those awaiting trial from the farming programme despite their potential to contribute. The service recorded financial losses in 2025 due to market and environmental factors, raising questions about the economic viability of the project. If the goal is rehabilitation and productivity, the exclusion of awaiting trial inmates contradicts the stated objective of utilising available manpower. Private sector support is being sought to fill gaps government funding hasn't covered, suggesting the initiative was launched without full operational capacity.
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