The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a 50% increase in the feeding allowance for prison inmates, set to take effect in August 2024. This decision aims to address the rising cost of food and improve the overall welfare of inmates.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, confirmed the increase, describing it as the first step in a broader initiative to enhance inmate welfare. “This is the first phase of a broader review aimed at improving inmate welfare,” Umar stated, emphasizing the need for the adjustment in response to the escalating food prices.
With the NCoS overseeing 84,575 inmates, the 2024 budget has allocated over N24.4 billion for catering materials and food supplies, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring adequate care for those in custody. Umar also hinted at the possibility of further adjustments to maintain the quality of inmate care amid ongoing economic challenges.
The increase in feeding allowance comes after public concerns were raised in December 2023 when it was revealed that only N750 was allocated per inmate per day for meals, a stark contrast to the N800 per day spent on feeding the service’s 900 dogs. This disparity drew significant public criticism and highlighted the need for immediate reform.
The issue of inmate welfare gained further attention recently when a viral video exposed the poor quality of meals served at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar. The video sparked outrage and prompted the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to initiate an investigation into the matter, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns surrounding inmate care.
