Minister Tunji-Ojo Advocates Public-Private Synergy to Turn Nigerian Correctional Farms into Modern Agro-Hubs

Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo calls for private sector partnerships to turn Nigerian correctional farms into productive agricultural hubs for inmate reform.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 12:15 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent

A Strategic Shift Toward Correctional Productivity

The Federal Government has launched a formal call for private sector involvement to modernize and optimize the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) farm centers. Speaking at a stakeholder dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the traditional reliance on government funding is no longer sufficient to unlock the vast potential of the correctional system. Represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Minister framed Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as an "indispensable strategic imperative" rather than a mere policy option. The goal is to blend government oversight with private sector innovation and capital to transform dormant lands into engines of economic and social value.

The "Farming Justice Project" and Inmate Reformation

The dialogue, organized by Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) in collaboration with the European Union and International IDEA, highlighted the "Farming Justice Project" as a blueprint for success. Funke Adeoye, Executive Director of HBBA, detailed how her organization is currently repositioning custodial centers—including Dukpa, Kuje, Kirikiri, and Oko—as structured rehabilitation hubs. Beyond simple labor, the project integrates mind-reformation training, financial literacy, and technical crop cultivation. By engaging inmates in the production of high-value crops like sweet corn, watermelon, and peppers, the initiative seeks to replace the stigma of incarceration with the dignity of entrepreneurship.

Scale of the National Correctional Landmass

The sheer scale of the available resources was underscored by Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, Controller General of the NCS. The Service currently manages 18 farm centers and 10 cottage industries spanning approximately 10,000 hectares across Nigeria. At present, these facilities host 12 agricultural projects, alongside piggeries, fisheries, and poultry operations. However, the government acknowledges that these centers remain under-utilized. By opening these 10,000 hectares to private investment, the NCS hopes to align its vocational programs with current market realities, ensuring that the skills inmates acquire are immediately employable upon their release.