Nigerians have expressed outrage over the contrast between the newly opened Nigerian Correctional Service Hotel and the country’s rundown correctional facilities.
The 105-room hotel, an investment by the Correctional Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society, was inaugurated in 2021 by former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola. The luxurious images of the hotel posted on the correctional service’s Facebook page have sparked a debate on social media.
Despite the opening of this modern hotel, many Nigerian correctional facilities are reported to be in poor condition. Inmates are often held in overcrowded, dilapidated cells, creating hazardous living environments.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently highlighted the increase in jailbreaks since the Nigerian Prison Service was renamed the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Social media users voiced their frustration at the disparity. Sadeeq Shehu criticized the modern hotel, pointing out the irony of prisons “built of mud.” He suggested that security agencies should focus on their core responsibilities rather than business ventures.
Sunday Peter Pepa questioned the relevance of the hotel to the correctional service’s objectives, stating that the funds should have been used to address pressing issues within the prisons.
Osita Edekobi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for prison improvements over hotel investments.
Upon taking office, the new Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo, announced plans to reform the correctional service. He pledged to alleviate congestion in custodial centers and provide inmates with opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“I assure you that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, we will work tirelessly to reform our custodial centers, decongest them, and offer hope and rehabilitation to inmates for their proper reintegration into society,” Olubunmi-Ojo stated.
