THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has spent more than N14 billion feeding inmates awaiting trial in the country’s custodial centres between January and August 2025, findings have revealed.
An analysis of inmate records obtained by News Point Nigeria showed a steady rise in the number of persons held without trial during the period under review.
In January, there were 48,932 awaiting-trial inmates. By the end of February, the figure had increased to 52,771, and further climbed to 53,254 in March.
The number slightly dipped to 52,937 in April, but rose again in June to 53,178, before reaching 53,473 by July. As of August 25, a total of 53,114 persons remained in custody without trial.
This translated to an average monthly awaiting-trial population of about 52,665 inmates.
The Federal Government had earlier approved an upward review of the daily feeding allowance per inmate from N750 to N1,125.
Using this benchmark, the NCoS was estimated to have spent N59.2 million daily feeding awaiting-trial inmates. Over the 237 days between January 1 and August 25, the cumulative bill amounted to N14.04 billion.
Confirming the expenditure, the spokesperson of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, said the service, under the leadership of the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, remained committed to its constitutional mandate of providing daily meals to inmates across all custodial facilities in Nigeria.
Abubakar explained that despite prevailing economic challenges and inflationary pressures, the service had continued to meet its responsibilities through strategic partnerships with government agencies and food supply contractors.
“Despite economic challenges and inflationary pressures, the service has continued to innovate within available resources.
“Through partnerships with relevant government agencies and food contractors, the service ensures that food items are sourced responsibly and delivered promptly,” Abubakar said.
The NCoS spokesperson stressed that feeding inmates was not merely about sustenance but an integral part of the correctional philosophy that emphasises humane treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
“The service remains open to collaborations with civil society organisations and oversight bodies to ensure standards are maintained and that inmates’ rights to adequate food and nutrition are fully protected.
“Feeding inmates is not just about meeting basic needs; it reflects our broader commitment to a fair and just correctional system,” he said.
An Ex-Prisons Service official, who spoke to News Point Nigeria said the rising number of awaiting-trial inmates continues to weigh heavily on the correctional system, contributing significantly to high feeding costs and overcrowding in custodial centres.
With over 70 percent of Nigeria’s prison population made up of inmates still awaiting trial, the ex-official called for judicial reforms, speedy trials, and non-custodial sentencing options to ease the burden on correctional facilities and reduce expenditure.