No fewer than 52 inmates in custodial centres across Kano State have commenced the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examinations conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NABAIS), as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation through education.
The spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, Musbahu Lawan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the candidates comprise 41 male and 11 female drawn from various custodial centres across the state.
The Command said the inmates’ participation in the examinations reflects the Service’s commitment to rehabilitation, reformation and successful reintegration of inmates through access to quality education and skills acquisition.
The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Yusuf Lakpene, monitored the commencement of the examinations at designated centres and described the exercise as another milestone in the Service’s correctional and rehabilitative mandate.
Addressing the candidates, Lakpene urged them to conduct themselves with discipline and integrity throughout the examinations, noting that education remains one of the most effective tools for transforming lives, reducing recidivism and preparing inmates for productive reintegration into society after serving their custodial terms.
He also commended the Kano State Government, led by Governor Abba Yusuf, for sponsoring the registration fees of the inmate-candidates.
According to him, the gesture demonstrates the state’s commitment to inclusive education and human capital development by extending educational opportunities to persons in custodial facilities.
The controller reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to expanding educational programmes across custodial centres as part of a broader strategy to promote learning, personal development and lasting behavioural change among inmates.
Lakpene was accompanied during the monitoring visit by the Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kurmawa, DCC Ibrahim Rambo; the Head of the Non-Custodial Unit, ACC Musa Muhamma; and the Principal of the Custodial School, DSC Ahmad Alkanawi.
