By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy renewable energy infrastructure and training centres across custodial centres nationwide.

Speaking during the event in Abuja, the Controller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, said the MoU signified more than infrastructure provision.

Nwakuche said that it also represented hope and a second chance for over 81,000 inmates in correctional custody across Nigeria.

He said that the partnership, themed “Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Energy Access and Socio-Economic Development,” was aimed at improving the quality of life for inmates.

He also said that the essence was to enhance rehabilitation through access to electricity, and promoting sustainable development within correctional facilities.

“Over 81,000 of my sons and daughters are in incarceration in a community that is often forgotten in demographic findings, forgotten when larger society is making progress.

“We are not just signing an MoU today. We are leveraging a collaboration that will provide renewable energy, support rehabilitation, and enhance vocational training within our facilities,” he said.

Nwakuche expressed deep appreciation to REA for extending this support to inmates who were often excluded from national development priorities.

He also noted that some inmates had already received the news of the partnership and were excited about the new opportunities it would bring, especially regarding education and empowerment upon release.

“We invite those who bring light to also bring life. Today, we are not just empowering infrastructure; we are empowering lives.

“Some of them heard we are coming to bring them not just power but something that will help and empower them even after they leave custody,” he said.

In his presentation, the REA’s Managing Director and CEO, Abba Aliyu, emphasised that the agency signed MoUs not for ceremony, but as a commitment to action and accountability.

“At REA, we sign MoUs to make ourselves accountable to the Nigerian public,” he said.

Aliyu cited previous MoUs signed by REA that have yielded concrete results, including collaborations with Huawei to establish Nigeria’s first Testing and Simulation Centre.

This, he said, included over 20 renewable energy service companies to catalyse equity and debt financing.

“We have catalysed over N100 billion in debt financing from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and secured $20 million in debt financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC),” he said.

Aliyu also noted REA’s successful partnership with the Police Trust Fund, through which four smart police stations have been deployed and were currently operational across the country.

He said that the MoU with NCoS represented a unique opportunity to extend similar gains to correctional institutions, which have historically been excluded from energy development.

“For the first time, we are deploying renewable infrastructure to power this community, to ease their living conditions and to enable inmates use their time meaningfully, “he said.

Aliyu said that the new partnership would involve the deployment of renewable mini-grids in correctional facilities and the establishment of renewable training centres within custodial communities.

He acknowledged that the NCoS had already partnered with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to make educational programmes accessible to inmates.

“Such efforts cannot succeed without electricity. This is because, these courses are all online, and without electricity, it is not possible to achieve that.

“We are going to replicate what we did with the Police Trust Fund, only this time in correctional institutions. It’s not just about lighting up the space, but enabling transformation, “he added.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director, Technical Services of the REA, Umar Umar said that the event marked a bold step in deepening cross-sector collaboration for rural electrification and national development.

Umar noted that the agreements represented a shared vision to improve energy access in ways that aligned with Nigeria’s development agenda, especially in critical sectors such as agriculture, education, security, and health.

He said that the REA currently implemented projects in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with more than 160MW of off-grid solar capacity deployed.

This, he said, included electrifying over 1,650 communities, powering more than 1,000 healthcare centres, and connecting over 6 million Nigerians.

“But we know this is just the beginning. Through these MoUs, we are laying the foundation for a new chapter of accelerated impact.

“With the NCoS, the REA will deploy clean energy solutions to improve security, vocational training, and operational efficiency within custodial facilities, supporting justice sector reforms and human rights,” he maintained.

Umar said that the partnership also aligned with the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which aimed for universal energy access by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration would lead to long-lasting change and reaffirmed REA’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with stakeholders to deliver scalable and sustainable energy solutions for all Nigerians.

Dignitaries present at the signing included the Managing Director of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL); the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Others are the Managing Directors of GEM Africa, Africa Energy Council, and Barton Heyman, Resident Representative, representative UKNIAF, UNDP, TETFund, MD GEM Africa, MD Africa Energy Council, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza