The Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), in partnership with Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has announced that over 100 inmates at the Male Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikoyi, have successfully completed Mental Health First Aider training under the Reform360 programme.

The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), is part of the newly launched Reform360: Reinvent, Reconnect, Reintegrate programme, designed to promote human-centred correctional reforms across Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by the Programme Director of Reform360, the training was made possible through continued support from SEEPCO.

The organisation noted that the programme aims to enhance inmates’ well-being, equip them with practical mental health skills, and strengthen their chances of reintegration into society.

According to the organisers, mental health challenges among incarcerated persons remain one of the most neglected issues in Nigeria’s correctional system, with limited access to care, stigma, and poor awareness undermining rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for years.

The Reform360 programme, supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), aims to change this narrative.

As part of the initiative, certificates of participation were issued to 107 beneficiaries, including seven correctional officials who completed the Mental Health First Aider training.

The organisers stressed that mental health is a cornerstone of true rehabilitation, noting that beneficiaries have already begun to show improved emotional regulation, better sleep habits, and a renewed sense of empathy toward fellow inmates.

Sharing his experience, one participant said, “I almost lost hope, but this programme brought me back to life. I have been rebirthed.”

A cell elder also praised the initiative, said, “This didn’t just teach us; it softened our hearts.

An officer at the facility described visible behavioural changes among the inmates,  “You could see it in their eyes as some sat in silence, visibly sober, while others nodded slowly in deep thought.”

He recalled one inmate who was previously withdrawn but began bathing regularly, smiling, and reconnecting with others after undergoing the training.

The organisers explained that Reform360 promotes a practical pathway to reinvent oneself, reconnect with opportunities, and ultimately reintegrate into society.

With SEEPCO’s support, the programme continues to strengthen an inclusive environment that addresses mental health stigma and improves rehabilitation outcomes.

Beyond its immediate impact, the initiative aims to build lasting support systems that sustain the well-being of participants and prepare them for successful reintegration.

The organisers added that the programme directly advances key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

They further noted that the Vcare for Development Foundation will continue to leverage SEEPCO’s support to drive positive public health and socio-economic outcomes that honour human dignity, while Sterling Oil reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that deliver long-term community impact.