President Tinubu approves recruitment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses for Nigeria’s correctional centres
Abuja, 11 March 2026 — President Bola Tinubu has approved the employment of 50 medical doctors and 100 nurses to bolster healthcare services in Nigeria’s correctional centres nationwide.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in Abuja on Tuesday.
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Dr Tunji-Ojo explained that the decision addresses a critical shortage of medical personnel in many facilities. He cited the example of a correctional centre in Rivers State, where no doctor was available to treat inmates, despite available equipment capable of supporting major surgical procedures.
“The President understands that he is the President of all Nigerians, including those inmates. And as father to all, he has always shown that he cares,” Dr Tunji-Ojo said.
The recruitment targets hospitals within correctional centres, aiming to improve medical care for inmates and align with broader efforts to uphold human rights standards in the correctional system. Overcrowding and limited healthcare resources have long been documented challenges in these facilities.
The minister also highlighted related reforms under the administration, including inmate skills audits, train-the-trainer programmes to build capacity among inmates, and a 50% increase in feeding allowances.
This latest approval follows similar announcements in early 2025, suggesting ongoing implementation to tackle staffing gaps. No immediate details were provided on the recruitment timeline, application process, or distribution across states.
The move is part of the Tinubu administration’s focus on rehabilitative and humane correctional practices, even as Nigeria’s prison population remains among the highest in Africa.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, under the Ministry of Interior, oversees more than 240 facilities nationwide.
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