The Nigerian Correctional Service has intensified efforts to improve healthcare delivery for inmates, with renewed attention on female inmates, mental health support, and plans to secure nationwide health insurance coverage for persons in custody.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, disclosed this during the flag-off of the second quarter 2026 nationwide distribution of essential drugs and medicaments to correctional commands and custodial centres across the country.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, who said the initiative forms part of the Service’s healthcare reform agenda aimed at improving access to quality medical care, reducing the burden of disease, and strengthening the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
According to the statement, Nwakuche said the quarterly distribution of essential medicines demonstrates the Service’s commitment to providing humane custody and quality healthcare in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
He described female inmates as one of the most vulnerable groups in custodial facilities, noting that his administration had prioritised their healthcare needs through improved menstrual hygiene management and other gender-specific sanitary interventions designed to protect their dignity and wellbeing.
The Controller-General also disclosed that the Service was working towards enrolling inmates in the National Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee sustainable access to quality healthcare across custodial centres.
He added that although some state governments had already enrolled inmates in their respective health insurance schemes, discussions were at an advanced stage to achieve nationwide coverage under the National Health Insurance Authority framework.
Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, described the nationwide distribution of essential drugs as a significant milestone in the Service’s healthcare reform programme.
ACG Essien said the intervention would improve inmates’ health and wellbeing while reducing the incidence of epidemics and other communicable diseases in custodial centres, urging medical personnel across commands to ensure the judicious use of the medicines.
On his part, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Pharmacy, Muhammed Bashir, said the Service had institutionalised a monitoring and reporting mechanism to ensure that all drugs distributed to commands were used strictly for inmate healthcare.
He explained that the accountability framework would strengthen transparency in pharmaceutical management and ensure that the medicines reached their intended beneficiaries.
The statement added that Nwakuche commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting correctional reforms and lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for interventions that have strengthened healthcare delivery and improved inmate welfare.
The Controller-General therefore reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to reforms that would safeguard inmates’ health, dignity, and mental wellbeing while advancing its mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, reformation, and successful reintegration into society.