Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Correctional Service in Yobe State has completed the first phase of a digital literacy programme involving 30 inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum, marking what officials describe as a significant step toward rehabilitation and reintegration through skills acquisition.
The programme, which has now moved into its second module, forms part of a broader initiative aimed at equipping inmates with relevant digital competencies that can improve their prospects after serving their sentences. Participants in the first phase were trained in basic computer operations as well as productivity and design applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and introductory graphic design.
Officials say the training is designed to provide inmates with practical skills that are increasingly relevant in today’s technology-driven economy, with a focus on improving employability and encouraging lawful means of livelihood upon release. The initiative is also positioned as part of ongoing correctional reforms that emphasize rehabilitation over punishment.
The programme is being implemented with support from the Yobe State Government under Governor Mai Mala Buni, in collaboration with the Yobe State Information Technology Development Agency. The agency provided essential digital infrastructure, including computers and related equipment, to facilitate the training sessions within the custodial facility.
According to the Director-General of the Yobe State Information Technology Development Agency, Dr. Adam Kachalla Mohammad, the completion of the first module represents a milestone in efforts to promote digital inclusion across all segments of society, including incarcerated individuals.
He noted that extending ICT training to correctional centres aligns with broader state objectives aimed at bridging the digital divide and ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the ongoing shift toward a knowledge-based economy.
Correctional authorities in Yobe State have also expressed optimism about the impact of the programme, stating that skill acquisition initiatives within custodial centres contribute to reducing recidivism by providing inmates with productive alternatives upon reintegration into society.
The second phase of the programme is expected to build on the foundational skills already acquired, potentially introducing more advanced digital competencies depending on resource availability and training capacity within the centre.
Officials involved in the initiative emphasize that such programmes are part of a growing national trend within the Nigerian Correctional Service, where rehabilitation-focused interventions are increasingly being integrated into custodial management strategies.
Across several states, correctional centres have begun incorporating vocational and educational training programmes aimed at equipping inmates with skills in trades, technology, and entrepreneurship. These efforts are intended to support reintegration and reduce the likelihood of reoffending after release.
In Yobe State, stakeholders have described the digital literacy programme as particularly significant due to the growing importance of technology in both formal and informal sectors of the economy. They argue that even basic digital knowledge can open up opportunities in freelancing, remote work, and small-scale digital entrepreneurship.
The collaboration between the state government and YITDA highlights a broader policy approach focused on leveraging public institutions to expand access to ICT training beyond conventional educational settings.
Correctional officials have also indicated that the programme will be expanded in phases, subject to funding and infrastructure availability, with the aim of reaching more inmates across custodial centres in the state.
While challenges such as limited resources and infrastructure constraints remain, authorities say the initial success of the programme demonstrates the potential impact of sustained investment in inmate rehabilitation through education and skills development.
For now, the completion of the first module and commencement of the second marks a positive development in correctional reform efforts in Yobe State, with stakeholders hopeful that similar initiatives can be replicated in other parts of the country.
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