Education for Rehabilitation: Obi Pays NECO Fees for 148 Inmates

Peter Obi has paid the NECO examination fees for 148 inmates across correctional centres in Anambra State, following appeals from inmates seeking access to secondary school certification as part of their rehabilitation process.

In a statement shared via his verified X handle, the former Anambra State governor explained that representatives of inmates from several correctional facilities in the state had reached out to him, prompting him to formally write to the National Examinations Council to guarantee payment of their examination fees.

After he made the intervention public, he said the Nigerian Friendship Association, USA, through its non-profit arm, Friendship Association Education Assistance Inc., offered to support the initiative, a gesture he described as an example of collective goodwill translating into practical impact.

In an unannounced visit to the NECO office in Awka, Obi personally presented a cheque covering the full examination and logistics costs for inmates from Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Aguata correctional centres.

According to him, the total amount paid for the exercise was ₦4,741,400. He later proceeded to the Awka Correctional Centre, where he met with some of the beneficiaries and encouraged them to remain focused despite their present circumstances.

Reflecting on the visit, Obi said education remains central to rehabilitation and reintegration, noting that exposure to learning opportunities can help inmates rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society after incarceration.

Drawing from international examples, he referenced his recent visit to California State University, Sacramento, where education-driven rehabilitation programmes for disadvantaged and formerly incarcerated persons are prioritised as part of reintegration efforts.

Obi urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen similar initiatives within the country’s correctional system, stressing that prisons should function as genuine centres of reform rather than mere detention facilities.

“Education remains central to rehabilitation,” he said, adding that correctional centres should equip inmates “with knowledge, skills, and hope for a meaningful life beyond confinement.”

He further called on government at all levels to support educational opportunities for deserving inmates, arguing that access to learning can restore dignity and expand future possibilities. “Together, through education, compassion, and strategic support, we can transform lives, restore hope, and build a society where every Nigerian has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully,” he stated.