An independent investigative panel set up by the Federal Government to probe allegations of corruption and human rights violations against the Nigerian Correctional Service has uncovered widespread inmate malnutrition, alleged abuses in the administration of feeding contracts, and institutional practices contributing to prison overcrowding.
The panel recommended an immediate increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates from N750 to N3,000.
The findings were contained in the panel’s final report submitted to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on June 3, 2026.
The report is available on the Ministry of Interior’s website.
The panel, inaugurated on September 30, 2024, was mandated to investigate allegations of corruption and rights abuses against the correctional system and recommend measures for reform.
As part of its assignment, the panel conducted assessments of 86 custodial facilities across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory, held public hearings, and undertook a study mission to the Republic of Türkiye.
Field visits were carried out between late 2024 and mid-2025 in Abia, Anambra, Adamawa, Edo, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Delta, Rivers, Sokoto, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo and Ogun states.
According to the report, investigators found evidence of severe deficiencies in inmate welfare, particularly in feeding arrangements.
“These include allegations of misappropriation or diversion of funds allocated for inmate feeding, healthcare, and rehabilitation. Examples include inflated figures for feeding contracts or missing rehabilitation programme funds,” the report stated.
The panel said inadequate feeding budgets and corruption in food supply arrangements had contributed to widespread malnutrition in custodial centres.
“Inadequate feeding budget and corruption in food supply have resulted in widespread malnutrition among inmates,” it noted.
Citing specific cases, the report said conditions were particularly alarming in some facilities.
“Specific Finding (Imo State): Feeding provisions are critically deficient; the panel recorded instances where nominal portions of raw protein (fish) were subdivided into fractional pieces for multiple inmates in Owerri Correctional Centre.
“Specific Finding (Akwa Ibom State): Malnutrition is a significant concern due to poor food rations, with reports of inmate deaths.”
The investigation also uncovered alleged irregularities in the award and execution of inmate feeding contracts.
According to the panel, many contracts were awarded to companies located far from the custodial centres they served, creating opportunities for subcontracting arrangements.
“The contract for food supply is awarded to many companies, most of which stay outside the location of the custodial centre they are to supply the food to; hence, the interest in sub-contracting the supply of the food to the officer in charge of the custodial centres,” the report stated.
The panel further alleged that politically exposed persons and serving or retired correctional officers were involved in the contract process.
“The investigation revealed the involvement of past and current senior correctional officers, politicians, and high-level public officers in contract awards, sale of contracts, and subcontracting of inmates’ food.
“Most of the companies awarded the supply of inmates’ food were fronts for past and current senior correctional officers, politicians, high-level public officers, or their friends and relatives,” the report added.
Investigators were also told that subcontractors often transferred feeding responsibilities to custodial centre officials at rates significantly below government-approved allocations.
“For example, the panel members were informed that when the rate of feeding of inmates was assigned as N750.00 per inmate per day, some subcontracted this to the officer in charge at N460.00 per inmate per day, and with the new increase in the rate to N1,250.00, some subcontracted this to the in-charge custodial centres at the rate of N600.00,” the report added.
It said some contractors allegedly threatened officers who resisted such arrangements, using their influence to seek their removal from office.
Beyond feeding contracts, the panel identified what it described as institutional incentives that encourage high inmate populations and undermine efforts to reduce overcrowding through non-custodial measures.
“It is the interest of correctional officers that benefit from the food contracts and other supplies to have a high number of inmates, to under-utilise non-custodial measures, and not to have sustainable agricultural programmes that will feed the inmates through the proceeds from the Nigerian Correctional Service Farm Centres,” the report stated.
Following its findings, the panel recommended a significant increase in funding for inmate feeding.
“Immediately increase inmate feeding allocation from N750 to N3,000 per inmate per day to address systemic malnutrition,” the report recommended.
It added that the adjustment was necessary to reflect prevailing economic realities and should be subject to periodic review.
The panel also recommended the mechanisation of correctional farm centres, expansion of agricultural production within custodial facilities, “reducing the feeding budget and dependency on external vendors,” and the introduction of incentives that would enable the NCoS to progressively meet inmates’ feeding needs through its own agricultural programmes.
In addition, it called for measures “to remove incentives linking custodial centre population to an increase in profit margin from food ration awards.”
The panel expressed optimism that implementing its recommendations would improve inmate welfare, strengthen accountability in procurement processes, and support broader reforms within the correctional system.