FG restates commitment to correctional reforms, digital border control

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to improving Nigeria’s correctional system, strengthening border control through technology, and promoting greater financial accountability across its institutions.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Wednesday while receiving the President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Haruna Yahaya, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The Head of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Mary Ali, in a statement, noted that the minister, speaking during the meeting, stressed that the correctional system remains a key responsibility of government, adding that the focus must go beyond custody to proper rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.

“Government has a duty of care to its citizens,” he said. “Even where freedom is restricted by law, we must ensure that those in our custody are treated with dignity and given the opportunity to return to society better than they came.”

He explained that the transition from the old Prisons Act to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act was a deliberate step to move the system away from mere detention towards one that promotes reform and reintegration.

On border management and internal security, the minister disclosed that the Correctional Information Management System (CIMS) now holds over 50 million records collected over the years, covering operations at the nation’s seaports and airports, with ongoing efforts to integrate land borders.

According to him, the system helps identify irregularities and prevent unauthorised entry, noting that modern security systems are increasingly focused on prevention rather than reaction.

“We are building systems that can stop problems before they happen, not just respond after the damage is done,” he added.

The minister also spoke on the need to strengthen internal systems across government institutions, particularly in financial management. While acknowledging the role of audits, he stressed that greater attention should be placed on preventive controls.

“It is not enough to detect issues after they occur. The real goal is to put systems in place that make such issues difficult to happen in the first place,” he said.

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He called on professional bodies like ICAN to continue supporting national development efforts, especially in areas such as revenue assurance, internal control, and transparency. He also encouraged closer collaboration between the government and the private sector to improve efficiency and build investor confidence.

On infrastructure, the minister noted the importance of an effective fire and rescue service, adding that expanding coverage across the country would require innovative funding approaches, including partnerships with the private sector.

He congratulated ICAN on its leadership and its forthcoming West Africa Accountants Conference scheduled for December 2026, assuring them of government support. He also commended the increasing role of women in professional leadership, describing it as a positive development for the future.

Earlier, the ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, commended the ministry for the reforms introduced so far and proposed the establishment of a Joint ICAN–Ministry Financial Integrity and Revenue Assurance Task Force.

He explained that the proposed task force would focus on areas such as revenue assessment within the Nigeria Immigration Service, payroll analysis across uniformed services, and procurement risk review, to reduce leakages and strengthen accountability.