The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has pledged to prop-up the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) with free psychotherapy and psychoanalysis sessions for inmates across the country as part of efforts to enhance mental health and rehabilitation in correctional facilities.
This commitment was made during the visit of the Association’s delegation to the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, MFR, mni, led by Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, the Vice President 1, at the NCoS National Headquarters in Abuja.
As part of the visit, the NMA, in partnership with Diatom Impact, a leading philanthropic organization founded by Dr. Akintola Akindele, donated sanitary towels for the use of female inmates across custodial centres.
Speaking at the event, the Controller-General expressed appreciation to the NMA and Diatom Impact for their thoughtful donation and commitment to inmate welfare, describing the initiative as a timely intervention in the Service’s ongoing reforms.
He noted that mental health support plays a vital role in the rehabilitation and reintegration process, adding that partnerships like this underscore the shared responsibility of building a more humane correctional system.
The NMA Vice President, commended the Service for its strides in improving correctional health and assured of the Association’s continuous collaboration with NCoS to promote holistic care for inmates and personnel alike.
Similarly, Dr. Akindele, a major donor who is a passionate advocate for humane correctional care, expressed his commitment to advancing inmate health and welfare as a pathway to building a safer and more compassionate society. He emphasized that supporting the healthcare and psychological well-being of inmates and staff alike will contribute significantly to national security and social stability.
During the visit, the association pledged to provide sustainable free psychotherapy and psychoanalysis services for inmates to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The team also proposed to organize a monthly “Down Tools” session for the Service’s management staff to promote emotional intelligence, stress management, and workplace wellness.
The partnership between the NMA, Diatom Impact, and the Nigerian Correctional Service marks another milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen correctional welfare and public health interventions within custodial facilities.
E-Signed,
Public Relations Unit,
NHQ Abuja
29th October, 2025
