The Federal Government has launched vocational training programs within 241 correctional facilities, offering participants a grant of N500,000 upon successful completion of the skills acquisition program.
Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, unveiled this initiative during a press conference held in Abuja. The training encompasses a diverse range of skills, including fashion design, computer literacy, hairdressing, fish farming, soap making, and poultry management.
Arogundade emphasized the significance of certifying the trained inmates to ensure the global recognition of their acquired skills. The primary objective of the program is to curb recidivism by empowering former inmates with the necessary capital to establish their own businesses.
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This pioneering initiative kicked off at the Kuje Correctional Centre and will subsequently expand to other correctional facilities nationwide. Collaborations with institutions such as the Bank of Industry and commercial banks have been established to provide support for business setup and diverse income generation opportunities.
With a target of 500 participants per facility, the program prioritizes individuals approaching the end of their sentences. It draws inspiration from successful rehabilitation models observed in other countries, particularly Norwegian prisons renowned for their remarkably low recidivism rates.