FG To Increase Daily Feeding Allowance For Prisoners To ₦3000

The Federal Government is set to increase the daily feeding allowance for inmates in correctional centres across Nigeria from ₦750 to ₦3,000.

According to Punch, this follows the findings of an independent panel that investigated allegations of corruption and human rights abuses within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).

Naija News understands that the recommendation was contained in the panel’s final report submitted to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on June 3, 2026.

The report followed months of investigations into the operations of correctional facilities across the country.

The committee was established in September 2024 to examine allegations of misconduct within the correctional system and suggest ways to improve its operations.

As part of its work, the panel inspected 86 custodial centres in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, conducted public hearings, and undertook a study visit to Türkiye.

During the investigation, the panel discovered poor welfare conditions in several correctional facilities, with inmate feeding identified as one of the major concerns.

According to the report, allegations of fund diversion, inflated contracts, and poor management of resources meant for feeding, healthcare, and rehabilitation programmes were uncovered.

The report stated that inadequate feeding budgets and alleged irregularities in food supply arrangements had contributed to malnutrition among inmates in many custodial centres.

In some facilities visited by investigators, food portions were said to be grossly inadequate.

In Imo State, investigators reported that food supplies at the Owerri Correctional Centre were severely limited, with small quantities of fish reportedly divided among several inmates.

In Akwa Ibom State, the panel received reports linking poor feeding conditions and malnutrition to deaths within the facility.

The committee also found alleged irregularities in the award of feeding contracts.

According to the report, many contracts were awarded to companies located far from the correctional centres they were meant to serve.

This situation reportedly created room for subcontracting arrangements, with some contractors passing responsibilities to officials managing the facilities.

The panel further alleged that some serving and retired correctional officers, politicians, and other influential individuals were connected to the feeding contract process.

Investigators were informed that some contractors handed over feeding responsibilities at amounts far below the government-approved rates, making it difficult to provide adequate meals for inmates.

Beyond feeding issues, the report raised concerns that certain practices within the system may be contributing to prison overcrowding.

The panel said some individuals benefiting from supply contracts could have little motivation to support alternatives to imprisonment or expand agricultural programmes capable of reducing dependence on external food suppliers.

To address the problems identified during the investigation, the committee recommended an immediate increase in the feeding allowance to ₦3,000 per inmate per day.

It said the adjustment would better reflect current economic realities and improve the quality of meals provided in correctional centres.

The panel also advised the government to modernise correctional farm centres, increase food production within custodial facilities, and reduce reliance on outside vendors.

It expressed hope that the implementation of its recommendations would improve inmate welfare, strengthen accountability in contract administration, and support ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system.