Thirty-eight inmates at Ibara Correctional Centre in Ogun State earned Theology degrees through a U.S.-affiliated missionary college, with officials and educators hailing the program as a transformative step toward rehabilitation, reintegration, and societal contribution.
In a powerful demonstration of transformation through education, 38 inmates of the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have graduated with degrees in Theology. The academic milestone was achieved through the West African College for Christian Missions, Abeokuta Campus—an affiliate of Freedom University and Theological Seminary, Pottstown, USA.
At the graduation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, emphasized the urgent need for broader support of prison education initiatives. Represented by Prof. Fafiolu Olusesan, he noted that while incarceration confines the body, education liberates the mind.
“Education in prisons is not just about textbooks—it is a pathway to dignity, transformation, and reintegration,” Kehinde stated.
The 38 graduates were awarded Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Diplomas in Missions. Kehinde highlighted that many individuals end up in prison due to systemic failures and a lack of opportunities, and stressed that education is key to reshaping such futures.
“When inmates gain knowledge, they gain the power to rewrite their stories,” he said.
Representing the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, the Controller General (via Ogun Controller Abioye Adesina), commended the college for investing in the reformation of inmates.
“This is more than education; it is hope. It’s proof that rehabilitation works,” he remarked.
Prof. Ohiku, Provost of the college (represented by Prof. Olanrewaju Oluwasanu), congratulated the graduates and urged them to lead by example and share the truth they’ve learned.
One of the graduates, Oluwadamilare Olagoke, who holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance, expressed gratitude on behalf of the class. He called on the government to further support prison reform by decongesting facilities and promoting programs like this.
“We have changed. We are ready to contribute meaningfully to society,” Olagoke said.
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