NIGERIA: Tinubu Approves Recruitment Of 150 Health Workers To Boost Correctional Centre Healthcare

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

In a decisive move to improve healthcare services in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 150 health workers, including 50 doctors and 100 nurses, to serve inmates across the country.  

The decision, announced on Thursday in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao, underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing medical deficiencies in correctional centres.  

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that beyond the new recruitment, the government has also approved the extension of service beyond retirement age for existing medical personnel under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to bridge healthcare gaps in the short term.  

In another significant step, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will now deploy medical doctors to correctional centres as part of efforts to enhance healthcare access for inmates.  

“We are committed to improving the welfare of inmates and ensuring that their medical needs are met. This initiative not only benefits the correctional system but also creates employment opportunities for young medical professionals,” the minister said.

The statement highlighted that states struggling with medical staff shortages, including Rivers State, will particularly benefit from this intervention.  

The minister also announced the completion of renovation work at the Kuje Correctional Centre, which now boasts upgraded facilities such as improved water supply, newly renovated cells, and a modernized hospital.  

“This is a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to long-term solutions for the nation’s correctional facilities,” Tunji-Ojo stated.  

Additionally, the federal government has approved the establishment of a National Paramilitary Academy, modeled after the Nigerian Defence Academy, to offer degree programs in paramilitary studies. 

The academy aims to provide specialized training for Nigerians interested in serving in the security sector.  

In a separate development, the Minister of Interior revealed a major shift in Nigeria’s visa issuance process.

Moving forward, all Nigerian visa applications will be processed online, with decisions either approval or rejection made within 48 to 72 hours. 

“The visa application process is undergoing a transformation. All Nigerian visas will now be applied for online, ensuring a faster and more efficient system,” Tunji-Ojo stated.