Fifty-two inmates in custodial centres across Kano State have begun the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NABAIS), as the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) continues to expand educational opportunities aimed at rehabilitating inmates.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Kano State Command, Musbahu Lawan Kofar Nassarawa.
The statement said the examination exercise reflects the Service’s commitment to rehabilitation, reformation and the successful reintegration of inmates into society through access to education and skills development.
According to the statement, the candidates comprise 41 male and 11 female inmates drawn from various custodial centres across Kano State.
SolaceBase reports that the Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Yusuf Ahmad 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.
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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 changing lives and preparing inmates for life after incarceration.
“Education remains one of the most effective tools for transforming lives, reducing recidivism and preparing inmates for productive reintegration into society upon completion of their custodial terms,” he said.
The controller also commended the Kano State Government, led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, for sponsoring the registration fees of the inmate candidates, saying the gesture demonstrates the administration’s commitment to inclusive education.
He added that extending educational opportunities to persons in custodial facilities underscores the government’s resolve to invest in human capital development without leaving any segment of society behind.
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Lakpene further reaffirmed the Nigerian Correctional Service’s commitment to expanding educational programmes across custodial centres as part of its broader strategy to encourage learning, personal development and lasting behavioural change among inmates.
“Our goal is to continue creating opportunities that will empower inmates through education and prepare them for successful reintegration into society,” he added.
According to the statement, the controller was accompanied during the monitoring visit by the Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kurmawa, DCC Ibrahim Isa Rambo, the Head of the Non-Custodial Unit, ACC Musa Muhammad Kibiya, and the Principal of the Custodial School, DSC Ahmad Muhammad Alkanawi.
