The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that correctional centres in Nigeria must function as institutions of rehabilitation and reformation rather than places of condemnation.

Tunji-Ojo made the remark on Saturday during the signing of performance bonds with agencies under the Ministry of Interior in Niger State.

He noted that reforms in the Nigeria Correctional Service were yielding results, stressing the need to sustain the momentum.

“Correctional Service is becoming transformational, it’s becoming rehabilitatory, and, of course, it’s becoming reformatory, and that’s what I want to see.

“I don’t want our correctional centres to be places of condemnation. And you are the chief correctional officer of the country. From where you picked up to where you are, within this short time, you’ve done a lot, but please, as I always say, when you need to concentrate the most is when you are doing well,” the minister said.

The minister urged the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service to sustain ongoing changes and ensure that the institution reflects its name in practice.

Tunji-Ojo, who also assessed other agencies under his ministry, said the government was committed to building strong institutions that could thrive beyond any individual.