Recently, an aggrieved officer of the Nigerian Prison Service dragged the Agency to court over allegations of injustice and victimization.
According to the officer, Longinus Njoku, he noted in his claim that in all his 32 years of service, he has not been placed under any disciplinary action and has never been indicted for any act of professional misconduct but regretted that he has been denied his statutory promotions for the last 20 years.
Njoku who earned his last promotion in 1996 was only elevated as an upgrade to another rank in 2014, an exercise he considered a demotion because the rank of Senior Inspector Prisons accorded him in 2014 was a rank he was due for in 1999.
Nigerian Prison Service Promotion: All You Need to Know
Based on this scenario, individuals seeking employment in the Nigerian Prison Service, as well as recruits, often ask, what are the things I need to know to ensure I am promoted as at when due?
Subsequently, we have decided to answer this popular query by providing some of the questions that are often asked during the Nigerian Prison Service Promotion Exercise and how they should be answered.
-
What do you know about the Nigerian Prison Service?
Tip: Concisely narrate when the NPS started, the reason it was established, important timelines, her aims, vision etc. Basically, give an overview of the organization in a sequential and composed manner.
-
Tell me about yourself?
Tip: Another way of asking: Can we meet you? Here, the NPS officials want you to explain yourself just the way it was on your CV. Narrate your experiences and various accomplishments in your professional history. Not too long, not too short.
-
Suggest ways in which the country’s prison conditions and numbers can be improved?
Tip: Answering this question requires deep thought. Start by briefly mentioning the causes before the solutions. This ensures your thought process of answering the question is logical and not haphazard. Through this way, you can provide 3 causes and 5 solutions or even 8. This is because a cause could have more than a solution. Additionally, do not mistake making fallacies such as correlation implying causation.
-
Why the prison service and not others?
Tip: Here, you have to concisely explain why you prefer the prison service to other para-military agencies. Narrate events that made you understand why it is the NPS and not others. Praise them and their services; their importance; training; prestige etc.
-
Current affairs
Who is controller general of the NPS? Who is the Minister of Interior? Who is the Minister of Defence? Speaker of your State House of Assembly? Who was the previous Head of the NPS? Where is the federal prison located in your state of origin? Who is the senator representing your senatorial district?
Tip: Expect these kinds of questions. Similar questions were asked during DPR interviews; the recruiters want to assess your knowledge about the organization, the country, your region, and State. Here, you need to acquaint yourself with the necessary information in the country. Another similar question is: Discuss the latest news you have heard about the NPS?
We’ve also included the ranking of prison officers so that you can have an idea of what it looks like to climb up the ladder as an NPS officer. Generally, your position will be dependent on your level of qualification.
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.
The Senior Inspector (SIP)
The salary is structured in accordance with CONPASS 08. The required degrees of 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.
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.
Satisfactorily okay