FG raises daily feeding allowance for inmates to N1,150

The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has announced an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates to N1,150 from the previous N750, which will be reflected in the 2025 budget.

This increment, according to NCoS Nasarawa State Command spokesperson Stephen Abene, aims to improve inmate welfare and better address nutritional needs in light of Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

The decision follows growing calls from the public and advocacy groups, particularly after NCoS Controller General Haliru Nababa revealed the previous N750 allowance per inmate, which was lower than the N800 daily allocation for each of the 900 service dogs maintained by the NCoS.

Recently, a viral video from Calabar’s Afokang Custodial Centre showed poorly prepared meals being served to inmates, drawing widespread criticism. Although the NCoS asserted that the video did not reflect the overall standard of care, they pledged to investigate.

This increase comes as reports link malnutrition-related illnesses to the recent deaths of 12 inmates at Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in September 2024.

The raised allowance is seen as an important step toward addressing these concerns and improving overall inmate welfare across Nigeria’s correctional facilities.