The Federal Government has approved a 50% increase in the feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria’s Custodial Centres, effective August 2024.

This move aims to improve inmate welfare. The spokesperson for the service, Umar Abubakar, made the announcement at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee’s monthly press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Abubakar attributed the increment to the rising cost of food.

He said: “The viral video is not a representation of Nigeria Correctional Service, nor is it a mandate of the service on reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Let me make this known here that since the inception of the change in name, significant progress has been made in reforming those who are in our custody.

“Four days ago, I granted an interview where we gave details on the alleged video. The NCoS has actually ordered for detailed investigation of the said video, which is going viral. And on the outcome of the investigation, I may not be able to speak much on that.

“And on the issue of the cost of food, the Federal Government has actually reviewed the feeding allowance of inmates in our custody with 50 per cent. And this is just the first phase of the review.”

It also disclosed that over 1,000 inmates are currently pursuing university degrees, while six are studying for PhD.

The increase in inmates’ feeding allowance follows a recent viral video in which inmates at a correctional centre in Calabar, Cross River State, complained about inadequate feeding.

Umar also stated that the NCoS had created a conducive environment for inmates to fulfil its mandate of reformation and rehabilitation.

He added that over 1,000 inmates are undergraduates, 282 are on their diploma and Master’s degree and six undergoing their PHD programmes.

Umar said, “Let me say here that currently in an effort to ensure that we have what I refer to as public safety through our reformatory activities, we have over 1,000 of our inmates who are actually going through their various degree programme, 282 doing their diploma and master’s degree programme, and six that are doing their PhD programme. Three of the PhD students are already writing their thesis.

“All this is geared towards our efforts to ensure that we change the psyche and behaviour of our inmates and to help their re-entry back to society.

“It is the care we give to these inmates in our custody that has provided a serene environment to help them learn skill acquisition across our custodial centre.”