The Federal Government has initiated vocational training for inmates across 241 correctional facilities, offering beneficiaries a grant of N500,000 upon completing the skills acquisition program.
Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, announced this during a press conference in Abuja. The training covers various skills such as fashion design, computer training, hair making, fish farming, soap making, and poultry business.
Arogundade highlighted the importance of certifying the trained inmates and ensuring global recognition of acquired skills. The program aims to prevent recidivism by empowering former inmates with business capital.
The initiative, which commenced at the Kuje Correctional Centre, will extend to other facilities nationwide. Partnerships with institutions like the Bank of Industry and banks are in place to provide support for business setup and multifaceted income streams.
With a target of 500 inmates per facility, the program prioritizes those nearing the end of their sentences. It draws inspiration from successful models in other countries, particularly Norwegian prisons, known for their low recidivism rates.
