The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a 50% increase in the feeding allowance for inmates, effective from August 2024. This decision aims to counter rising food prices and improve the welfare of inmates across the country.
Abubakar Umar, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the increase in a press briefing on Thursday. He noted that this adjustment marks the “first phase” of a broader effort to enhance living conditions for inmates.
“The inmate feeding allowance has been increased by 50%, starting from August 2024. This is just the beginning, with further reviews expected due to the rising cost of food,” Umar said.
He explained that the FG is considering additional adjustments to the allowance as part of a regular review process, especially in light of the increasing prices of basic foodstuffs. “Further reviews are planned as the cost of living continues to climb,” Umar added.
Currently, there are 84,575 inmates across Nigeria, according to NCoS statistics. For the 2024 budget, over N24.4 billion has been earmarked for catering and food supplies within correctional facilities.
Concerns about the adequacy of inmate feeding allowances have grown, particularly after NCoS Controller General Haliru Nababa revealed in December 2023 that only N750 per day was allocated for feeding each inmate, while N800 was spent daily on each of the 900 service dogs.
Inmate welfare was further spotlighted after a viral video from Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar, Cross River State, showed inmates receiving poorly prepared meals. The video led to public outrage and prompted an investigation ordered by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, into the facility’s conditions.
NCoS has since stated that the investigation is ongoing and that the incident does not reflect the overall standards of care and commitment to inmate welfare across the country.
