The Nigerian Correctional Service has promoted 16,582 officers and personnel across multiple cadres.

The promotion marks the largest of the exercise ever conducted in the service’s history nationwide, according to officials in Abuja on Tuesday.

Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service, organised by the service headquarters officially.

Mr Nwakuche said the ceremony was not merely for new ranks but to recognise dedication, professionalism, sacrifice, and the steady institutional growth recorded by the Nigerian Correctional Service over recent years nationwide.

He expressed the service’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for unwavering support for correctional reforms and sustained commitment to strengthening security and justice sector institutions across the country.

Mr Nwakuche commended Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as supervising minister and chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, for strategic leadership and reform-driven oversight consistently provided nationwide.

He also lauded him for policy direction and approvals enabling the exercise, adding that commitment to personnel welfare and capacity development across the services remained deeply valued and widely acknowledged nationwide.

Mr Nwakuche appreciated the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, for administrative guidance, cooperation and sustained support, enhancing service delivery and smooth implementation of government policies within the Service nationwide consistently.

He described the promotion of 16,582 personnel as historic and deliberate, reflecting resolve to motivate staff, reward merit and strengthen institutional capacity within the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide sustainably and professionally.

Providing details, Mr Nwakuche said 11,417 officers were promoted within the senior cadre, while 4,253 junior officers advanced to their next ranks during the exercise recently conducted nationwide by the service authorities.

He added that 128 junior officers were upgraded to the Assistant Superintendent of Corrections rank after acquiring relevant academic qualifications approved by the Service and supervising authorities nationwide officially during the exercise.

Additionally, 89 correctional assistants were upgraded to the inspectorate cadre after obtaining diplomas and NCE qualifications, while 689 chief correctional assistants converted to inspectors following successful completion of mandatory conversion courses.

Mr Nwakuche announced that six officers received special promotion to inspector rank in recognition of gallantry and exceptional performance, exemplifying courage, professionalism and devotion to duty within the Service nationwide proudly upheld.

Congratulating newly promoted personnel, the controller-general cautioned that advancement carried greater responsibility, demanding higher discipline, integrity, leadership standards and professionalism in conduct and official duties across all formations nationwide consistently maintained.

He urged officers to reflect those values always, stressing that promotion was not an end, but a renewed call to service, accountability and excellence in national correctional responsibilities entrusted to them daily.

Mr Nwakuche said the service must remain focused on humane custody, effective rehabilitation, public safety and contributions to national development, while strengthening professionalism, discipline and public trust nationwide continuously and sustainably.

The controller-general warned against indiscipline, trafficking, compromise or unwholesome associations with inmates, saying such acts eroded trust, endangered security and undermined ongoing correctional reforms nationwide severely and irreparably.

He said the administration maintained zero tolerance for misconduct and would apply laws and service regulations against any culpable officer, regardless of rank or position within the Service nationwide without exception.

Addressing officers not promoted, Mr Nwakuche urged them not to lose heart, assuring them that dedication, discipline and competence remained vital and never overlooked in future promotion considerations within the service nationwide.

Highlights of the event included symbolic decorations, goodwill messages, group photographs and reaffirmation of commitment to reform, professionalism, accountability and service excellence within the Nigerian Correctional Service nationwide.
(NAN)