The Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, announced on Wednesday that the recruitment of 5,000 new personnel for the service will soon take place to strengthen its workforce.
Nwakuche made this statement during his appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, chaired by Rep. Chinedu Ogar, to defend the agency’s 2025 budget.
He revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the recruitment of the 5,000 personnel in August 2024. However, the process had been delayed due to a lack of financial backing to accommodate the new staff.
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Nwakuche assured the lawmakers that the recruitment would proceed shortly, contingent upon approval from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), with the necessary funds now included in the 2025 fiscal budget.
Committee members, particularly Rep. Victor Ogene of Anambra, expressed concern over the delay, highlighting the urgent need to address the issue of insufficient manpower. Hon. Ogene urged the Nigerian Correctional Service to collaborate more closely with the committee to ensure the timely implementation of the recruitment process.
He said, “Some of us have been inquiring for months about whether this recruitment is happening behind closed doors, and we will not accept such an outcome. This process should be transparent and timely,” Ogene stated.
In his response, Ndidi explained that the delay was due to the absence of sufficient cash backing, which had hindered the hiring of the 5,000 new personnel, despite the presidential directive.
He emphasized, however, that the hiring process would commence as soon as funding is officially confirmed.
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