Abuja: The Nigerian Correctional Service has elevated 16,582 officers and personnel across various cadres, in what officials on Tuesday described as the largest promotion exercise in the Service’s history nationwide.
Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this Tuesday in Abuja during the official decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Nwakuche said the ceremony was not merely for new ranks, but also to recognise dedication, professionalism, sacrifice, and the steady institutional growth recorded by the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide over recent years.
He expressed the Service’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for unwavering support for correctional reforms and sustained commitment to strengthening security and justice sector institutions across the country.
Nwakuche commended Interior Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as supervising minister and Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board for the strategic leadership and reform-driven oversight consistently provided nationwide.
He also lauded him for his policy direction and approvals that enabled the exercise, adding that his commitment to personnel welfare and capacity development across the Services remained deeply valued and widely acknowledged nationwide.
Nwakuche appreciated Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, for administrative guidance, cooperation, and sustained support, which have consistently enhanced service delivery and the smooth implementation of government policies nationwide within the Service.
He described the promotion of 16,582 personnel as historic and deliberate, reflecting a resolve to motivate staff, reward merit, and sustainably and professionally strengthen institutional capacity nationwide within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Providing details, Nwakuche said 11,417 officers were promoted within the senior cadre, while 4,253 junior officers advanced to their next ranks during the exercise recently conducted by the Service authorities.
He added that 128 junior officers were promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Corrections after acquiring relevant academic qualifications approved by the Service and supervising authorities nationwide during the exercise.
Additionally, 89 Correctional Assistants were upgraded to the Inspectorate cadre after obtaining Diplomas and NCE qualifications, while 689 Chief Correctional Assistants converted to Inspectors following successful completion of mandatory conversion courses.
Nwakuche announced that six officers received special promotion to Inspector rank in recognition of gallantry and exceptional performance, exemplifying courage, professionalism, and devotion to duty within the Service, which is proudly upheld.
Congratulating newly promoted personnel, the Controller-General cautioned that advancement carried greater responsibility, demanding higher discipline, integrity, leadership standards, and professionalism in conduct and official duties across all formations nationwide.
He urged officers to reflect those values at all times, stressing that promotion was not an end but a renewed call to service, accountability, and excellence in the national correctional responsibilities entrusted to them daily.
Nwakuche said the Service must remain focused on humane custody, effective rehabilitation, public safety, and contributions to national development, while continuously and sustainably strengthening professionalism, discipline, and public trust nationwide.
The Controller-General issued a firm warning against indiscipline, trafficking, compromise, or unwholesome associations with inmates, saying such acts severely and irreparably erode trust, endanger security, and undermine ongoing correctional reforms nationwide.
He said the administration maintained zero tolerance for misconduct and would apply laws and service regulations against any culpable officer, regardless of rank or position within the Service nationwide, without exception.
Addressing officers who were not promoted, Nwakuche urged them not to lose heart, assuring that dedication, discipline, and competence would remain vital and never be overlooked in future promotion considerations nationwide within the Service.
Highlights of the event included symbolic decorations, goodwill messages, group photographs, and the leadership present reaffirming their commitment to reform, professionalism, accountability, and service excellence within the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide.
