In a move that’s raising eyebrows across the nation, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has handed out degree certificates to six inmates at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja. That’s right,prisoners are now graduates, thanks to a government-backed push to “rehabilitate” criminals through higher education.

The ceremony, held right inside the prison walls, was a spectacle of official speeches and self-congratulation. The Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche (represented by his deputy), praised the inmates for their “resilience” and “commitment to personal development.” Apparently, serving time is no longer a barrier to academic achievement.

According to the NCoS, the six inmates completed various NOUN programmes while behind bars. The degrees? Two Master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and four Bachelor’s in Peace Studies, Political Science, and Criminology. It seems the university is determined to prove that anyone,no matter their past,can access higher education.

“The Service will continue to foster skills and educational opportunities that prepare inmates for lawful livelihoods and a better future after release,” Nwakuche declared. The message: prison is now a place for self-improvement, not just punishment.

Christopher Jen, Controller of Corrections for the FCT Command, urged the new graduates to become “positive ambassadors” for the prison. He encouraged them to use their degrees to turn their lives around, as if a diploma is all it takes to erase a criminal record.

Representing NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Francis Enobore, a retired corrections officer, celebrated the 13-year partnership between the university and the prison service. He called the programme a “pathway of hope,” insisting that education is the key to restoring dignity,even for those convicted of serious crimes.

Dr. Enobore also touted NOUN’s open and distance learning model, which he claims makes quality education available to “the most marginalized.” He announced plans to expand the programme to more prisons, suggesting that soon, inmates across Nigeria could be earning degrees from their cells.

One of the graduates, Abba Kyari, spoke on behalf of the group, thanking prison officials and NOUN for the opportunity. He said the experience had given them a new sense of purpose, and that their time in custody was not wasted. The message: prison can be a stepping stone to a better life.

The event also included counselling sessions on re-entry and skill development, with the graduates pledging to be model citizens after release. The officials present hailed the initiative as a way to break the cycle of crime and build a more “inclusive” society.