Representatives of VCDF and CELSIR presenting certificate for the mental health first-aider training session.
The Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening mental health support and rehabilitation for incarcerated persons in Nigeria.
The programme, known as Reform360: Reinvent, Reconnect, Reintegrate, was introduced in partnership with the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).
According to VCDF, the initiative is designed to address overlooked longstanding mental health challenges within correctional centres, where incarcerated persons often face stigma, limited access to care, and lack of awareness. This has bred an inadequate support system, hindering rehabilitation and social reintegration efforts.
As part of the rollout, more than 100 inmates at the Male Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ikoyi completed a Mental Health First Aider training course. A total of 107 certificates of participation were issued—100 to inmates and seven to correctional officials.
Programme organisers describe mental health as “a cornerstone of rehabilitation,” adding that early outcomes suggest the intervention is already influencing behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Beneficiaries reported improvements such as better emotional regulation and healthier sleep patterns.
One participant captured the programme’s impact in a statement, saying, “I almost lost hope, but this programme brought me back to life. I have been rebirthed.” Another inmate, described as a cell elder, said the experience went beyond learning: “It softened our hearts.”
Officials at the correctional centre also noted visible changes. One officer said some inmates were visibly sober and reflective during sessions. He highlighted a case in which a previously withdrawn inmate began to engage more positively with others, noting improvements in hygiene, social interaction, and overall mood.
The Reform360 initiative aims to build a structured pathway for self-reinvention, reconnection with positive influences, and eventual reintegration into society. According to VCDF, the programme contributes to broader social inclusion goals and aligns with global development priorities, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
SEEPCO, which supported the programme, said its collaboration with VCDF forms part of its wider commitment to community-focused interventions that promote safety, wellness, and human dignity.
VCDF says it intends to expand Reform360 to other correctional centres, citing the need for sustained mental health support within Nigeria’s justice system.
