An independent panel established by the Federal Government has uncovered alleged corruption, inmate malnutrition, and systemic failures within Nigeria’s correctional system, recommending a sharp increase in the daily feeding allowance for prisoners.
The panel, which investigated allegations against the Nigerian Correctional Service, proposed raising the feeding allocation from ₦750 to ₦3,000 per inmate per day to address worsening nutritional conditions in custodial centres across the country.
The findings were presented in a report submitted to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following inspections of 86 correctional facilities in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the report, investigators found evidence of widespread malnutrition among inmates, allegedly linked to inadequate feeding budgets and irregularities in food supply contracts. In some facilities, inmates reportedly received extremely small food portions, while reports of nutrition-related deaths were recorded in certain custodial centres.
The panel also alleged that feeding contracts were frequently awarded to companies with no direct presence near the facilities they served, encouraging subcontracting arrangements that significantly reduced the funds available for inmate meals.
Investigators claimed that some contractors transferred feeding responsibilities to prison officials at rates far below government-approved allocations, while politically connected individuals, including former and serving correctional officers, were allegedly involved in the contract process.
Beyond food supply concerns, the report identified institutional practices that may contribute to prison overcrowding, suggesting that some officials benefit from maintaining large inmate populations due to links between prison numbers and supply contracts.
To address the challenges, the panel recommended increasing feeding allocations, expanding agricultural production in correctional facilities, mechanising prison farms, and reducing dependence on external food vendors.
The committee expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would improve inmate welfare, strengthen transparency in procurement processes, and support broader reforms within Nigeria’s correctional system.
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