The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) is a government agency of Nigeria which operates prisons. The agency is headquartered in Abuja, and it is under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.
As of 2014, it had 240 prisons. 155 are prisons for convicts and 83 are satellite facilities. The prisons include:
- Adamawa State: Yola Prison
- Ebonyi State: Abakiliki Prison
- Federal Capital Territory: Kuje Medium Prison
- Lagos State: Ikoyi Prison; Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison; Kirikiri Medium Security Prison and the Kirikiri Women’s Prison – the only all-women’s prison in Nigeria
- Yobe State: Gashua Maximum Prison
Nigeria Prison Service: Ranks and Salary Structure
In this post, we take a look at the ranks and salary structure of officials of the Nigerian Prisons Service.
Generally, the structure of the Nigerian Prisons Service is divided into two. There is the Administrative Structure and there is the Command Structure.
In terms of the Admin structure, at the apex of the NPS sits the Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service. He is the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the formulations and implementation of penal policies in Nigeria. He is also responsible to the President through the Minister of Interior and the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board which the Minister heads. But in matters of prison policy, he takes direct responsibility for policy implementation.
He is assisted by six (6) Deputy Controllers-General (DCGs) who head the six broad administrative divisions called Directorates into which the Service is broken for efficient management.
The Deputy Controllers-General heads the Directorates report to the Controller-General and constitutes together with the Controller-General the highest decision-making body in the Administration of the Nigerian Prisons Service.
The Directorates are specialized divisions charged with the responsibility of coordinating specific areas of prison administration. They include the Operations, Administration and Supplies, Health and Social Welfare, Finance and Budget, Inmates’ Training and Productivity and Works and Logistics.
On the other hand, the Command structure is highlighted below. The Nigerian Prisons Service operates a four-level Command.
The apex structure which is the National Headquarters in Abuja is divided into eight (8) zones with each zone having State Commands under it. The Zones are headed by Assistant Controller-Generals of Prisons while the State Commands are headed by Controllers of Prisons. The prison is the last unit of the structure.
Looking at the salary structure of the prison officers, typically, all the workers who serve in Nigerian prisons are regarded as paramilitary employees and their salaries are structured in accordance with CONPASS. The CONPASS salary scheme ensures that paramilitary organizations and their service members are given additional amount to their salaries and special allowances.
On average, a Nigerian prison service employee receives between N800,000 and N1,000,000 per year. The monthly salary is estimated at N50,000 and as expected the highest salaries are assigned to the highest positions in the organization.
As a rule, the top of the structure is occupied by a Controller-General followed by his deputy and the deputy manager and Assistant Generals. There’s information that salaries of Nigerian prison workers will increase eventually because of the shift of the grade level 07 to grade level 08 automatically.
The salary of prison officers is based on the rank as well as the qualification of applicants. We have provided a detailed explanation of the categories of candidates the Prison Service considers, the existing requirements as well as their salary structure.
Category A
The Superintendent of Prison (SP)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONMESS 02. The required degrees of applicants are BSc., M.B.B.S. or M.D. or M.D.S. (Medical). Also accepted are equivalent degrees received in officially recognized universities
The Deputy Superintendent (DSP)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONHESS 09. The degree much be obtained in an officially recognized university
The Assistant Superintendent I (ASP.I)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 09. The required degree of applicants is B.Sc. or Master’s degree in Humanities or Architecture or Engineering or Radiology, and so on. The degree must be obtained in an officially recognized university
The Assistant Superintendent II (ASP.II)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 08. The required degree of applicants is the first degree in Humanities or Psychology or Public Health or Social Sciences or Social Works, and so on. The degree must be obtained in an officially recognized university.
Category B
The Senior Inspector (SIP)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 08. The required degrees of the applicant is the HND certificate in Humanities or Psychology or Public Health or Social Science/Social Works, and so on. The document must be obtained from officially recognized colleges or polytechnics.
Inspector of Prison (IP)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONHESS 06. The required degrees of applicants are the ones in Nursing: Registered Midwives or Registered Nurses or both. The qualification must be obtained from an officially recognized educational facility.
Assistant Inspector AIP
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 06. The requirement for applicants is OND/NCE (General Duty) received at an officially recognized educational facility.
Category C
Prison Assistant I (PAI)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 05. The requirements to applicants are the GCE (ordinary), SSCE or its equivalent, NECO or its equivalent, no fewer than 5 credits in maximum 2 sittings. There must be credits in English and Mathematics.
Prison Assistant II (PAII)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 04. The requirements to applicants are the GCE (ordinary), SSCE or its equivalent, NECO or its equivalent, no fewer than 5 credits in maximum 2 sittings. There must be credits in English or Trade Test (grade 2). This includes Mechanics, Plumbers, Masons, Auto Electricians, Carpenters, and so on.
Prison Assistant III (PAIII)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 03. The requirements to applicants are the GCE (ordinary), SSCE or its equivalent, NECO or its equivalent, no fewer than 3 credits in maximum 2 sittings. There must be credits in English or Mathematics. Alternatively, the Trade Test (grade 3). This includes Mechanics, Plumbers, Masons, Auto Electricians, Carpenters, and so on.
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