Reps speaker sponsors NABTEB, NECO exams for 120 inmates

File photo: The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has sponsored the registration of 120 inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, for the 2026 National Business and Technical Examinations Board and National Examinations Council examinations.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the NCoS Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSC Ahmed Duza.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative was part of activities to commemorate Abbas’ 61st birthday.

NAN also reports that the registration was conducted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, where results were symbolically presented to inmates who participated in the 2025 NABTEB and NECO examinations.

Abbas, represented by his Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs, Mr David Igbe, said the initiative was a continuation of his commitment to ensuring that incarceration did not become a barrier to education and personal development.

“Today we are registering another 120 inmates for this year’s NABTEB and NECO examinations.

“This is a continuation of our commitment to ensuring that incarceration does not become a barrier to education, personal development and the opportunity to build a better future,” he said.

He appreciated the NCoS management and staff for creating an enabling environment for the reformation of inmates.

The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, who represented the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, described education as a critical pillar of inmates’ reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.

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He appreciated the Speaker for celebrating with the inmates and called for employment opportunities for reformed inmates, saying they were ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He added that the command remained committed to expanding educational opportunities for inmates, while appreciating the Speaker and other partners for their support.

Also speaking, the representative of the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, SC Igomu Augustine, commended the initiative and support for inmates’ education.

Igomu said the Speaker was taking the lead in registering inmates for NECO examinations across custodial centres.

The Education Desk Officer, DSC Adikwu Owoicho, said more than 2,000 inmates had been registered for various educational programmes in the command.

He said inmates who participated in the 2025 NABTEB and NECO examinations recorded encouraging performances.

The event featured testimonies from beneficiary inmates, birthday tributes, special prayers and the cutting of the Speaker’s 61st birthday cake.