NCoS Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency with Reappointment of Parole Boards

In a move aimed at further strengthening the nation's correctional system, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reappointed the National Parole Board and all 36 State Parole Boards for a second term of three years. This development comes on the heels of a historic moment for the NCoS, where the first official release of parolees under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 took place in Umuahia, Abia State, on June 11, 2026. The National Parole Board, which was first inaugurated on August 25, 2022, comprises members from various sectors including the judiciary, federal ministries, the Nigeria Police Force, mental health professionals, the National Directorate of Employment, and civil societies. The reappointment, effective from June 15, 2026, underscores the service's commitment to transparency and merit-based assessment of inmates for supervised release into the community. Speaking on the occasion, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by the Deputy Controller-General of Human Resources, Ado Saleh, emphasized the importance of integrity, impartiality, and transparency in the management of prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration. Nwakuche highlighted the Board's mandate, which includes coordinating parole administration, monitoring the effectiveness of the parole process, and addressing appeals and complaints from offenders, victims, and affected persons. He praised the contributions of the outgoing board, noting that their work over the past three years had been assessed and found worthy of continuation. The Controller-General charged the reappointed members to ensure that every case is considered objectively, guided by the facts, the welfare of society, and the genuine prospects of rehabilitation. He also directed them to work with increased rigour and consistency, ensuring that no eligible offender is denied the opportunity of rehabilitation due to administrative lapses or geographical inequalities. Nwakuche stressed the value of the parole system to society, pointing out that every successfully reintegrated offender represents a reduction in recidivism and a potential contributor to the nation's economy. 'A society that invests in the rehabilitation of offenders is a society that is investing in its own future,' he said. The Controller-General called on all relevant government agencies and ministries to extend full cooperation and institutional support to the Boards at both the national and state levels.