The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has proposed N14.83 billion in its 2026 budget to feed about 91,100 inmates across the country, as overcrowding in custodial centres continues to rise, largely due to the high number of awaiting-trial detainees.

The Controller-General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this on Wednesday while defending the agency’s 2025 budget performance and presenting its 2026 estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions in Abuja.

Nwakuche explained that the feeding allocation is calculated at a daily rate of N1,125 per inmate and is part of a projected N50.40 billion recurrent overhead for the 2026 fiscal year.

He noted that the pressure on feeding resources reflects the current inmate profile nationwide, revealing that awaiting-trial inmates account for 64 percent of the total prison population.

As of February 9, 2026, the total inmate population stood at 80,812. Out of this number, 51,955 were awaiting trial, 24,913 were convicted inmates, while 3,850 were held under other detention categories.

The NCoS boss stressed that the Service is obligated to provide adequate nutrition in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Offenders, describing inmate feeding as essential but highly resource-demanding.

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2025 Budget Performance

Reviewing the 2025 financial year, Nwakuche said the Service received a total appropriation of N184.63 billion. Of this, N27.28 billion, representing 71.7 percent of released overhead funds, was spent on inmate feeding, while N10.75 billion remains outstanding as liabilities for food supplies.

He added that overhead releases for 2025 reached 73.7 percent, with the final tranche for October released in December.

Personnel costs in 2025 amounted to N124.31 billion, out of which N112.68 billion (90.6 percent) was released and fully utilised for salaries, pensions and health insurance under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Operational expenses stood at N6.49 billion, covering staff training, fuelling of vehicles for court duties, electricity, security services and facility maintenance.

However, capital expenditure recorded the lowest performance. Only N3.22 billion out of the N14.50 billion allocated — 22.2 percent — was released, leaving N11.27 billion for projects unpaid.

Nwakuche said capital funding is critical for building and rehabilitating custodial centres, procuring operational vehicles, arms and security equipment, deploying ICT systems, capturing inmate biometrics and supporting agricultural activities in prison farm centres.

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2026 Budget Proposal

For 2026, the NCoS presented a total budget proposal of N198.85 billion, covering personnel costs, inmate feeding, overheads, operations and capital projects for both custodial and non-custodial services.

Out of this, N138.30 billion is proposed for personnel costs to cater for a projected workforce of 37,541 staff across four salary structures.

The Controller-General also appealed for an additional N90.38 billion to significantly raise capital funding to about N100.50 billion, aimed at tackling long-standing infrastructure decay and capacity gaps in correctional facilities.

He further requested a dedicated N37.99 billion to strengthen the implementation of non-custodial measures in all 774 local government areas nationwide.

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Lawmakers Push for Reform

Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, called for urgent reforms in the correctional system, citing chronic underfunding, ageing facilities and increasing operational demands, especially inmate feeding.

Ogah described the NCoS as vital to national security but lamented poor budgetary attention, noting that many custodial centres were built over a century ago and have significantly deteriorated.

He said the committee would thoroughly scrutinise the Service’s 2025 performance and its 2026 funding request as part of the budget defence process.

The lawmaker also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Correctional Service Trust Fund Bill passed by the National Assembly, saying it would reduce pressure on federal facilities by enabling states to establish their own correctional centres.

Ogah further highlighted educational initiatives in prisons, disclosing that about 10 study centres of the National Open University of Nigeria have been set up within correctional facilities, including one in Abakaliki, where inmates access free academic programmes.

He commended correctional officers for maintaining operations despite difficult conditions, assuring that the committee would conclude deliberations on the 2026 budget after a detailed review.