In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Olukemi Ibikunle, a Nigerian corrections officer serving with MONUSCO, is helping transform prisons into places that uphold dignity and foster peace.
Combining her experience in corrections management and engineering, she works to create facilities that are safer, more humane, and better equipped to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

Engineering change behind prison walls

Within MONUSCO’s Corrections Unit, Ms. Ibikunle applies her technical expertise in a field traditionally dominated by men. She leads high-impact projects that strengthen the country’s prison infrastructure and promote respect for human rights.

She led a pilot project to build a high-security prison block in Kabare for high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups. Designed not only to enhance prison security but also to encourage rehabilitation and stability, the facility has become a model for effective and humane detention management.

Innovating for dignity and sustainability

Ms. Ibikunle also developed a prison model tailored to the needs of both male and female inmates. This model now serves as a reference for national authorities as they work to standardize prison infrastructure and improve detention conditions across the DRC.

Among her most innovative initiatives is the biogas production system at Uvira Prison, the first of its kind in the country. Launched in 2021, the system treats human waste to generate clean energy, improve hygiene and living conditions, and train detainees in biogas management and gardening.

A holistic vision of rehabilitation

Her approach goes beyond infrastructure. Ms. Ibikunle sees rehabilitation as a process rooted in dignity and opportunity. Her food-security programmes in the prisons of Luzumu and Kabare have reduced deaths linked to malnutrition while providing detainees with practical skills for reintegration into society.

To communicate more effectively with inmates, staff, and local communities, she learned French and Swahili during her assignment, another sign of her commitment to inclusion and understanding.

Building peace through tustice

Through her technical expertise and steadfast dedication to human rights, Olukemi Ibikunle is helping modernize the Congolese prison system. Her work strengthens institutional capacity, supports social reintegration, and fosters social cohesion, all essential pillars of sustainable peace and security.

As she puts it: “The way we treat people in detention influences the kind of person they become when they return to society.”