Correctional Service, REA Sign Pact To Enhance Power, Vocations For Inmates

The Nigerian Correctional Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to introduce clean energy and enhance security infrastructure, vocational rehabilitation and operational efficiency in correctional facilities in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Comptroller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche said the initiative would provide renewable energy for one of the most neglected communities.

He expressed appreciation to the REA for considering the Correctional Centres in the agency’s energy initiative.

“We’re here not just to sign an MOU, but to leverage on a collaboration that works, to leverage on a platform that will provide renewable energy to this particular institution, that will also assist in their rehabilitation, in their innovation, in their vocational skills and training.

“With light, they say, who brings light brings life. That is what I want to say today. REA, you have brought life to custodial facilities, and we’re elate,” Nwakuche said.

He thanked the REA for the cooperation in extending electricity to the inmates. “Some of them also got news that we are coming today to provide not just life to them, but something that will help them and empower them upon release from custody. Today, we are not just empowering infrastructure, we are empowering lives,” the CG said.

According to the two organisations, the initiative align with human rights and justice sector reforms.

The Managing Director of REA, Engr. Abba Aliyu said the objectives of the earlier MOUs with other organisations had been met, stressing that such synergy would ensure that government institutions effectively serve the people.

He thanked the NCoS Comptroller General for his proactive approach to the initiative, assuring of the agency’s inclusion in the next phase of the solar mini grid rural electrification across the country.

The Executive Director, Technical Services in the REA, Umar A. Umar, described the event as a bold and purposeful declaration of a shared ambition to accelerate sustainable, reliable and inclusive access to electricity, especially for underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.

“This signing marks the formalisation of partnerships that are already aligned in spirit, vision and mission. We are proud to be joined by some of the most impactful institutions and forward-thinking leaders in Nigeria’s development, financial, energy, and institutional transformation space,” he said.

Umar also disclosed that other organisations including NIRSAL, GEM Africa, Africa Energy Council and Barton Heyman have signed similar MoU with REA for the same initiative.

REA currently implements projects across all 36 states and the FCT, with over 160MW of off-grid solar capacity deployed, electrifying more than 1,650 communities, powering over 1,000 healthcare centres, and connecting more than six million Nigerians.

“This is just the beginning. Through these MoUs, we are laying the foundation for a new chapter of accelerated impact. These partnerships also support the Government of Nigeria’s ambitious Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which targets achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and universal energy access by 2030,” Umar said.

Initiatives such as Mission 300, which seeks to deploy 300MW of solar mini-grids across Nigeria, are central to this agenda and these MoUs are critical in mobilising the finance, capacity and institutional support required to achieve these goals.

“Importantly, our development and advisory partner Barton Heyman continues to be pillar of strength, bringing not just funding, but global expertise, policy alignment, market intelligence, and technical advisory that shape and elevate our interventions,” he added.