The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced an increase in the daily food allowance for inmates across the country, which will be reflected in the proposed 2025 budget, on Tuesday.
Stephen Abene, spokesperson for the NCoS in Nasarawa State, explained that the adjustment raising the daily allowance from N750 to N1150 per inmate aligns with current economic realities and aims to improve inmate welfare and nutrition.
“The government recently approved N1150 per day for each inmate’s meals, up from N750. This increase is intended to address the current economic conditions,” Abene stated.
This move follows ongoing concerns voiced by Nigerians and organizations, urging an increase in the feeding budget for inmates.
Earlier, NCoS Controller General Haliru Nababa highlighted that inmates received only N750 daily for food, whereas each of the service’s 900 dogs had a daily feeding budget of N800.
Recently, a video from the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar, showing poorly prepared food being served to inmates, sparked public outcry.
The NCoS responded by clarifying that the video did not represent the overall standard across facilities and promised an investigation into the matter.
Furthermore, a recent report indicated that 12 inmates at the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State died in September 2024 due to an illness reportedly linked to inadequate nutrition.
