NCoS Inauguratqes Parole Board Members, Unveils Awareness Materials on Non-Custodial Measures
Oru Leonard
Abuja, June 15, 2026 – The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has inaugurated reappointed members of the National and State Parole Boards for a fresh three-year tenure and unveiled Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at boosting public awareness and understanding of non-custodial measures across the country.
The event, held at the NCoS National Headquarters in Abuja, was organised in collaboration with the Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) and International IDEA. It brought together members of the National and State Parole Boards, civil society organisations and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s criminal justice sector.
Representing the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Deputy Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Human Resources, Dr. Ado Sale, formally inaugurated the board members and charged them to strengthen coordination of parole administration nationwide.
He urged the members to effectively monitor parole implementation, address appeals and complaints from offenders, victims and other affected persons, and recommend measures to improve the parole system.
Sale commended the board members for their dedication and professionalism during their first tenure, noting that their efforts resulted in significant achievements, including the historic parole release of 10 inmates in Umuahia.
He described parole as a vital correctional tool for reducing recidivism, decongesting custodial centres and enhancing public safety.
In his welcome address, Deputy Controller-General of Corrections in charge of the Directorate of Non-Custodial Service, IN Idris, said the inauguration underscored the Service’s commitment to justice, rehabilitation, reintegration and public safety.
According to him, the Parole Board remains a key component of the non-custodial framework established under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, providing eligible inmates with structured opportunities for supervised reintegration into society.
He noted that the board’s objective assessment of parole applications and evidence-based recommendations have contributed significantly to custodial decongestion and the expansion of non-custodial measures nationwide.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PRAWA, Mr. Chris Eleya, described the occasion as a major milestone in Nigeria’s correctional reform efforts. He stated that the NCoS Act, 2019, ushered in a new era of correctional administration by creating a legal framework for parole, community service, restorative justice and other alternatives to imprisonment.
Eleya stressed that the success of parole administration depends on the integrity, professionalism and commitment of board members, urging them to continue upholding the principles of justice, accountability, public safety and the rule of law.
Speaking on behalf of International IDEA, Mr. Joshua Dada congratulated the members on their reappointment and encouraged them to build on the successes recorded during their first tenure.
The event also featured presentations by State Parole Board chairpersons from Abia, Edo, Lagos and Plateau states, who reflected on achievements, lessons learned and priorities for strengthening parole implementation in the coming years.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the National Parole Board, Justice Suleiman Galadima (Rtd.), Prof. Michael Ezenwa reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring transparent, accountable and effective parole administration across Nigeria.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling of the Non-Custodial IEC materials designed to deepen public understanding of parole and other alternatives to incarceration. Excellence and Leadership Awards were also presented to parole board members in recognition of their contributions to correctional reforms and parole implementation in Nigeria.
