The Nigerian government, through the Correctional Service, has announced an increase in the money allocated for feeding inmates nationwide.

Spokesperson for the Nasarawa State (NCoS) Command, Stephen Abene, stated that the increase would be reflected in the proposed 2025 budget.

Abene explained that the adjustment is due to current economic challenges.

He mentioned that the previous N750 allowance would be increased to N1,150 per day to enhance welfare and address nutritional concerns.

“The government recently approved N1150 for feeding per inmate from N750, which will be captured in the 2025 budget. This upward review is to meet up with the present economic reality,” he said.

There have been calls to increase inmates’ feeding allowances after the NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa, revealed that the prisoner’s food allowance was N750 per day.

Meanwhile, the daily allocation for each of the 900 dogs maintained by the service was N800.

A viral video showing meals served to inmates at the Afokang Custodial Centre in Calabar raised concerns.

However, the NCoS clarified that the video did not represent the overall standard of care across facilities, although an investigation would be carried out.

It was also reported that 12 inmates at the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State died in September 2024 from an illness related to inadequate nutrition.