The Nigerian Medical Association will begin monthly psychiatric checks for all prison inmates nationwide from November 2025.
The initiative aims to improve mental health care and rehabilitation in correctional centers.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has announced plans to conduct monthly psychiatric evaluations for all prison inmates across the country starting from November 2025.
The Vice President of the association, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit to the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Dr. Sylvester Nwakuche. The visit also included the donation of reusable sanitary pads to all female inmates across Nigeria.
The initiative is being supported by Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, a Nigerian company that manufactures sanitary products. According to Dr. Olowojebutu, the psychiatric evaluation will ensure that inmates have access to mental health care, while the donation of sanitary pads will help promote hygiene and dignity among female inmates.
“Today marks a great day for me personally. In July, we met with the investigative panel and heard touching revelations about the condition of inmates, especially the hygiene of women,” he said.
“I made a vow that day that NMA would provide sanitary pads to support them.”
Olowojebutu explained that the association’s findings revealed a growing need for consistent psychological support and mental health assessment among inmates to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“With our continued collaboration with the NCoS, we are confident that the lives of inmates, both male and female will improve,” he said.
In his response, the Controller-General of the NCoS, Dr. Sylvester Nwakuche, praised the NMA for its commitment to improving inmate welfare and for sustaining its partnership with the Service.
He also commended Diatom Impact/Platform Capital for constructing an incubation center at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, where inmates are being trained and certified in digital skills, including Cisco programmes.
“Our inmates are not the dregs of society; they come from all walks of life and deserve opportunities for rehabilitation,” Nwakuche said. “We must continue to involve NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians in making life better and more meaningful for them.”
Also speaking, Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, said supporting inmates is both a moral and social responsibility.
“Many people in correctional centers are there due to circumstances beyond their control. Everyone deserves dignity, hope, and a second chance,” Akindele said. “We must focus on positive stories and support good initiatives that uplift our society.”
He added that prisoners should be treated with respect and given the opportunity to reform.
“Prisoners are human beings first,” he said. “They are in correctional facilities to learn and become better. We must build a country that treats every life with dignity.”
The NMA said the monthly psychiatric evaluation and continued medical outreach are part of its broader effort to promote health equity, mental wellness, and rehabilitation within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
