Fifty-six inmates in correctional centres across Nigeria are due to graduate with university degrees this weekend.
The inmates are among 24,575 students set to receive qualifications at the 15th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) on 18 April at study centres nationwide.
Speaking in Abuja, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Uduma, confirmed the inmates are part of the graduating cohort.
“The inmates are among the 24,575 students graduating at the ceremony, reflecting the university’s broad reach and inclusive approach to learning, which ensures that education remains accessible to diverse groups across Nigeria,” he said.
The inmates completed their studies while serving sentences through the university’s distance learning system, which delivers lectures, coursework and examinations inside custodial centres.
Uduma said the decision to educate inmates was based on the view that “no human being is beyond redemption.”
He noted that access to knowledge remained a fundamental right regardless of circumstance.
According to him, the inmates’ participation in the convocation is not symbolic but a reflection of real academic work and personal transformation.
“For us, it is not just about awarding certificates; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding identity and reaffirming humanity,” he said.
“The inclusion of inmates aligns with NOUN’s broader mandate of widening access to education and ensuring that no segment of society is excluded.
“The initiative demonstrates how education can serve as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration, offering inmates a pathway to rebuild their lives after incarceration.
“The success of inmates in the programme underscores the transformative power of knowledge and the need for sustained investment in inclusive education.”
All graduates, including those in custody, are expected to take part in the ceremony from their respective locations. Certificates will be issued immediately after the convocation.