In this interview with Ayoyinka Jegede, the Regional Overseer in charge of Trademore Regional Headquarter, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Lugbe, Abuja, and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nuga Best International Limited, Pastor Hilary Chukwuma Akpu, disclosed how his outreach organization in over 20 years had transformed the lives of prison inmates and ex-convicts.
Talking about the vision behind Chify Rehabilitation Centre, how did it start?
Actually, most people find themselves in prison because of the influence of friends. I knew some friends when I lived in Lagos between 1999 and 2000. They used to come to my shop to buy things. One day, they approached me and asked me to join them in an oil bunkering business. At the time, they were making a lot of money and even came to show off dollars to entice me. When they told me about a “business,” I asked if it involved robbery or killing. They assured me it was just oil bunkering. So, I agreed. The next day, I was ready to join them, but my wife strongly objected and firmly said, “No!” She insisted we should manage the business we already had to support our family. Two weeks later, I was informed that some of my friends had been arrested in Abuja by the Nigerian Police Force for robbery. Some were killed, and a few survived. When I followed up, I discovered it was those same young men. I would have either been dead or labeled an armed robber for something I knew nothing about. From that point, I began to pray and asked God to give me an opportunity to help others avoid such a fate. That’s how the vision was born. I started visiting prisons in 2003 and launched the outreach in 2012.
What are the activities of your organisation?
We run a home where we rehabilitate ex-inmates—although we prefer to call them “return citizens,” as they don’t like being referred to as ex-convicts. They stay with us for a year. During this period, they undergo intensive vocational training by professionals in various trades. Once they complete the training, we provide them with starter kits to help them establish themselves and offer ongoing follow-up support.
We also help them find a place to begin practicing their trade and focus on their spiritual growth by sharing the word of God for total transformation. We bring in counselors who work with them consistently until they are fully restored. Afterward, we either give them money or set them up in a business based on the skills they have learned. We offer training in building, welding, iron bending, aluminum window installation, POP, and painting. I sponsor all of this, and a few of my friends also support us. I am also into Real Estate; we also have a Rehabilitation Centre where we shelter and rehabilitate ex-inmates. We also have Afri-European Schools here in Abuja.
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How long does the training last?
The training typically lasts six months, but in some cases, we extend it to one year. Some people even leave before the six-month mark. We bear all the costs ourselves. so the full program can last up to a year, during which they transition into their own apartments.
How many people have undergone rehabilitation?
So far about 57 people have passed through the rehabilitation programme in the past four years. The number varies each year. For instance, in one year, we had 15 participants; in another, only five. As of 2025, we have had about seven people from January to date. While at the centre, they are fed with quality meals.
What are the categories and demographics of inmates in the correctional centres?
All types of people are there—the young and the old,the bad, the good, the innocent. Some are wrongly accused. Some committed crimes; others didn’t. The first time I went to Suleja Prison, some years back I spent about ₦170,000 to bail out 15 people, you can imagine that. One case involved a pregnant woman arrested for street hawking in Abuja. She was fined ₦10,000 or sentenced to six months in prison. Because she couldn’t pay the fine, and neither could her husband, she had already spent three months in Suleja Prison before we came.
How does your organisation provide pro bono services to inmates?
We have lawyers who volunteer to partner with us. I support them with small stipends to encourage their work. Since 2010, we’ve handled about 100 pro bono cases. One notable case involved an Indian national. We secured his release through pro bono legal work, which took over two years. In appreciation, the Indian Embassy gave the lawyer an award. His testimony is documented.
Do you plan to expand this initiative beyond Abuja?
Yes, that’s why we are now seeking partnerships. If given the opportunity and financial support, I would love to extend the initiative to other states. God saved me, and I feel a responsibility to help others.
How much does it cost to run the rehab centre monthly?
We spend nearly N2 million every month. Currently, due to rising costs, we’ve reduced the number of residents. We have about 10 vacant rooms simply because we can’t afford to fill them.
Tell us about your yearly football competition for inmates
Since five years ago, every November, we organize the “Hilary Chukwuma Cup” in Kuje Prison. Youths from outside the centre also come to watch. The kuje correctional facility has a football field, which many other facilities don’t have. We hope to start the tournament in Keffi Prison next year by the grace of God. There are usually 8–10 teams, and the tournament runs for about two weeks until the finals. From kickoff to the final match, we feed all the inmates—both Muslims and Christians—with high-quality meals. During this time, you see real joy. The inmates forget they’re in prison. It gives them a sense of belonging and a taste of freedom. We also take part in the MFM 70-days fasting program yearly. We supply the books to the inmates and cook meals for them during the fast.
From your experience, what causes people to fall into crime?
Many factors—bad friends, poor parenting, and a lack of guidance. Some parents don’t ask their children where they get expensive items from. One young man once was very angry with his mother because she accepted everything he brought home—items he had stolen. She never questioned him. The two major reasons people end up in prison are poor parenting and wrong associations.
Are you open to partnerships with people passionate about soul-winning?
Yes, absolutely. We welcome those who share our passion.
Can you share some success stories from your prison outreach ministry?
By the special grace of God, we’ve witnessed tremendous transformations through our work. God has used this ministry to win countless souls for Christ—men and women whose lives were once in darkness but are now shining as agents of change across the world. We have seen ex-inmates become pastors, evangelists, and committed ministers—not just in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), but in various denominations, including among foreigners. Many of them are now making a real impact in their communities. When people are released from custodial centres and reach out to us, often stranded with nowhere to go, we do our best to support them. After thorough interviews and assessments, we offer help: shelter, job placements, or financial support to start small businesses. For example, we had a man, an engineer who was released on bail. He was in debt to the tune of one million naira. We took him in, provided accommodation, and offered him a job through our ministry. Today, he’s debt-free and fully independent. In another case, a pregnant woman at Suleja Correctional Centre reached out to us. By God’s grace, we paid part of her hospital delivery bills, provided her with essential baby items, and supported her with accommodation at our rehabilitation centre, Chify. She’s now reunited with her other children, and we gave her cash support to start her own business. These stories reflect what God can do when people are given a second chance and a little love and support.
Have you ever considered giving up on this work?
Yes. At one point, I was handcuffed. Police came to arrest someone I had rehabilitated. They accused him of planning a kidnapping. Despite everything I was doing to reduce crime, I was treated like a suspect. But the people I had helped defended me. One policeman even said, “This is what is saving you.”
