A Youth-led nonprofit organisation, Bonafide Advocator Initiative (BOFAI), has completed a library revamp project at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun, in Lagos State, as part of efforts to promote social justice for marginalised young people in correctional facilities.

The initiative aligns with BOFAI’s aftercare approach, which supports young persons beyond confinement through continued mentorship, access to educational tools and pathways back into formal education, with the aim of reducing recidivism.

The project began in late 2025 after the organisation identified challenges at the centre, including low literacy levels, limited motivation among inmates and the absence of structured learning support, despite the availability of a library.

An assessment showed that the library was poorly maintained, stocked with outdated and tattered books, and lacked the structure needed to encourage reading and learning among the boys.

In response, BOFAI carried out a comprehensive renovation of the facility, including repairs to chairs, ceilings and shelves, repainting of the space, and the removal of damaged and irrelevant books. The revamped library has since been completed and opened for use, providing a more conducive environment for learning and personal development.

Speaking on the project, BOFAI’s founder, Oluwatobi Adetona, said the intervention went beyond physical renovation.

“Access to education in correctional centres is not just about having libraries; it’s about making learning engaging, meaningful and achievable for young people who have often been excluded from traditional educational systems,” she said.

As part of its broader intervention, BOFAI is also introducing a reward-based reading model to improve participation and build a sustainable reading culture within the facility.

Under the model, one of the boys will assist in monitoring the library as a captain, while others are encouraged to read regularly. The organisation said it would conduct quarterly visits to engage the boys on reading materials and reward positive participation.