owering Prisoners Through Agriculture and Rehabilitation Abuja, Nigeria —The Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA has partnered with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to launch the Farming stice Project, a new rehabilitation program designed to train inmates in modern farming and promote sustainable reintegration into society.
At the official flag-off ceremony held at the Kuje Custodial Centre, the Executive Director of HBBA, Mrs Funke Adeo, explained that the initiative bridges the gap between Nigeria’s new correctional mandate and its real-world application.
Funded by the European Union (EU)* through International IDEA under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, the project combines agricultural innovation with justice reform to help inmates acquire practical skills and reduce re-offending.
Adeoye said the project stemmed from HBBA’s seven-year collaboration with NCoS, which highlighted the need for stronger support systems within custodial centres.
“With the transition from ‘Prison Service’ to ‘Correctional Service,’ our facilities must truly reflect rehabilitation and empowerment,” she said.
She noted that the initiative aligns with HBBA’s broader mission of restorative justice — providing inmates with life skills, enabling them to contribute to food production, and equipping them for life after release.
The experimental farm at Kuje Custodial Centre, alongside the Dukpa Farm Centre, now trains more than 80 inmates in cultivating crops such as okra, watermelon, and tomatoes.
“Some of the produce is already feeding inmates — a real step toward tackling food shortages in correctional facilities,” Adeoye added.
In Lagos, HBBA has replicated similar projects with female inmates growing okra, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Plans are underway to extend the programme to other states.
Adeoye stressed that agricultural empowerment not only supports food security but also curbs recidivism. “By giving inmates viable means of livelihood, we’re ensuring they return to society as productive citizens,” she said.
She commended Comptroller-General Sylvester Nwakuche of NCoS for fostering public-private partnerships that strengthen rehabilitation efforts, and she thanked the EU and International IDEA\ for backing restorative-justice initiatives. Addressing the challenge of awaiting-trial inmates, Adeoye highlighted the importance of community corrections. “Of over 80,000 inmates nationwide, only about 3,600 are on death row. Most will return to our communities. It’s our responsibility to ensure they come out prepared for productive living,” she said.
She described the Farming Justice Project as a turning point in Nigeria’s correctional system where rehabilitation and productivity coexist. When we equip justice-impacted individuals with practical skills, we build a safer, more inclusive society,” she concluded.
Controller of Corrections (FCT Command, Christopher Jen, praised the initiative, saying it offers hope for a peaceful Nigeria where former inmates can live without fear or stigma. “The eagerness of inmates to learn gives me confidence in a better tomorrow,” he said,
describing Kuje Centre as a hub of skill acquisition He listed ongoing training programmes in barbing, embroidery, computer repair, electrical work, shoe making, fishery, carpentry, soap making, plumbing, and construction.
Representing International IDEA, Mr Joseph Ode* reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to justice reform through agricultural empowerment. “Rehabilitation is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “Reintegration must be a shared national goal.
The event featured a tour of Kuje Custodial Centre’s farms and workshops, unveiling of the Farming Justice Project, and visits to skill-training facilities.
