Sixty-eight inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Kano State have made remarkable strides in their education, achieving outstanding results in the 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
These inmates passed with flying colours, each securing credit in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics, a feat that underscores the transformative power of education behind bars.
This accomplishment follows a rigorous academic journey for the inmates, who benefited from the Kano State government’s SSCE scholarship programme. The scholarship is a vital part of the state’s efforts to empower incarcerated individuals, allowing them the opportunity to change their lives through education.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf demonstrated his commitment to the education of all Kano citizens by disbursing over N3 billion in March 2025 to support 141,175 candidates, including the inmates, who sat for external examinations such as NECO and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
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This funding is part of a broader educational initiative aimed at enhancing learning and growth opportunities for all, with a 26 per cent budget allocation to education.
The initiative stems from the Correctional Service Act of 2019, which places significant emphasis on inmate rehabilitation through educational and vocational training programmes. According to Musbahu Lawan Kofar Nassarawa, the spokesperson for the Kano NCS, the success of these inmates is a direct result of their dedication and commitment to academic excellence.
Controller of Corrections for Kano State Command, Ado Inuwa, expressed immense pride in the inmates’ performance.
“Their success is a testament to the power of perseverance and the rehabilitative potential of education,” Inuwa said. He also wished the inmates continued success as they continue on their path of reform.
Azumi Namadi Bebeje, the Chairperson of the Prerogative of Mercy, also congratulated the inmates. She praised their determination to succeed and acknowledged the pivotal role of Governor Yusuf’s support in making this achievement possible. “Governor Yusuf’s investment in education for the incarcerated is an investment in a better future for all,” she stated.
