A comprehensive investigation commissioned by the Federal Government has uncovered disturbing revelations about the state of inmate welfare within Nigeria's correctional system, exposing alleged corruption in prison feeding contracts, widespread malnutrition among inmates, questionable procurement practices, and institutional challenges that have contributed to severe overcrowding across custodial facilities nationwide.
The findings emerged from an extensive inquiry conducted by an independent investigative panel established by the Federal Government to examine allegations of corruption, abuse of office, human rights violations, and administrative misconduct within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The panel's report, which has generated significant public attention, paints a troubling picture of conditions in many correctional centres across the country and calls for sweeping reforms aimed at restoring accountability, improving inmate welfare, and strengthening institutional transparency.
The final report was formally submitted to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on June 3, 2026, after nearly two years of intensive investigations, consultations, facility inspections, and stakeholder engagements.
The investigative panel was inaugurated on September 30, 2024, following mounting concerns about conditions within correctional facilities and repeated allegations regarding corruption in the administration of inmate welfare programmes. The panel was tasked with examining claims of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, abuse of inmates' rights, and systemic challenges affecting the correctional system.
As part of its mandate, the panel undertook one of the most extensive reviews of Nigeria's correctional facilities in recent years. Investigators visited 86 custodial centres spread across 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Public hearings were organized to gather testimonies from stakeholders, while panel members also embarked on a study visit to the Republic of Türkiye to examine international best practices in prison administration and correctional reforms.
The states covered during the investigation included Abia, Anambra, Adamawa, Edo, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Delta, Rivers, Sokoto, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the report, one of the most alarming discoveries concerned the welfare and nutritional conditions of inmates in several correctional centres. Investigators found substantial evidence suggesting that inadequate funding, coupled with alleged corruption in food procurement and supply chains, had resulted in widespread malnutrition among inmates.
The report revealed that funds allocated for inmate feeding, healthcare, rehabilitation programmes, and welfare services may have been diverted or mismanaged through questionable contract arrangements and inflated procurement processes.
Investigators stated that allegations of financial irregularities were common across multiple facilities and included claims of inflated feeding contracts, missing rehabilitation funds, and diversion of resources intended for inmate welfare.
The report specifically noted that inadequate feeding budgets and corruption in food supply systems had significantly contributed to poor nutrition levels among inmates in numerous custodial centres.
Particularly disturbing were some of the conditions observed during visits to correctional facilities in Imo and Akwa Ibom States.
According to the panel, conditions at the Owerri Correctional Centre in Imo State were especially alarming. Investigators reported instances where extremely small portions of protein were divided among numerous inmates, highlighting the severe inadequacy of available food supplies.
The report stated that nominal portions of fish intended to provide protein for inmates were reportedly cut into tiny fractions and shared among multiple prisoners, creating serious concerns about nutritional standards and inmate health.
In Akwa Ibom State, investigators documented similar concerns. The report described malnutrition as a major challenge within correctional facilities in the state, with some testimonies alleging that poor feeding conditions had contributed to inmate deaths.
These findings have intensified calls for urgent intervention to improve inmate welfare and ensure compliance with both national and international standards regarding the treatment of incarcerated persons.
Beyond concerns about food quality and quantity, the panel uncovered what it described as a deeply entrenched system of irregularities surrounding prison feeding contracts.
According to investigators, many food supply contracts were awarded to companies that were physically located far from the custodial centres they were expected to serve. This arrangement allegedly created opportunities for subcontracting practices that distorted procurement processes and reduced accountability.
The panel reported receiving evidence suggesting that some contractors transferred responsibility for feeding inmates to officials overseeing custodial facilities at significantly reduced rates compared to the amounts originally approved by government.
For example, investigators were informed that when government allocations provided ₦750 per inmate per day for feeding, some contractors allegedly subcontracted the responsibility to correctional centre officials for as little as ₦460 per inmate. Even after feeding allocations were reportedly increased to ₦1,250 per inmate daily, some subcontracting arrangements allegedly continued at rates as low as ₦600 per inmate.
Such practices, according to the panel, created opportunities for substantial financial gains while simultaneously reducing the quality and quantity of food available to inmates.
The investigation also uncovered allegations that politically exposed persons, senior public officials, and both serving and retired correctional officers were involved in the awarding, sale, and management of feeding contracts.
According to testimonies reviewed by investigators, some companies awarded prison feeding contracts allegedly served as fronts for influential individuals with direct or indirect connections to the correctional system and political establishment.
The report suggested that these arrangements may have enabled individuals to benefit financially from contracts intended to improve inmate welfare while undermining transparency and accountability.
Even more concerning were allegations that some contractors allegedly used political influence and administrative connections to target correctional officers who resisted participation in questionable arrangements.
The panel heard claims that officials who challenged subcontracting practices or raised concerns about procurement irregularities sometimes faced pressure, intimidation, or attempts to secure their removal from office.
Beyond feeding contracts, investigators identified broader structural challenges within the correctional system that they believe contribute to prison overcrowding.
According to the report, certain institutional incentives may inadvertently encourage the maintenance of high inmate populations because larger prison populations increase the volume of contracts associated with feeding and other welfare services.
The panel suggested that such incentives could discourage effective utilization of non-custodial sentencing measures and alternative correctional programmes designed to reduce overcrowding.
Investigators further argued that inadequate investment in agricultural programmes within correctional facilities has limited opportunities for prisons to become more self-sufficient in food production.
The report noted that many correctional farm centres remain underutilized despite their potential to contribute significantly to inmate feeding programmes and reduce dependence on external contractors.
As part of its recommendations, the panel proposed a dramatic increase in the daily feeding allowance allocated to inmates.
Specifically, investigators recommended raising the feeding allocation from ₦750 per inmate per day to ₦3,000 per inmate per day. According to the panel, such an increase is necessary to address widespread malnutrition and reflect prevailing economic realities, including inflation and rising food prices.
The report further recommended that feeding allocations should be reviewed periodically to ensure that they remain adequate and responsive to changing economic conditions.
In addition, the panel called for the mechanization and expansion of correctional farm centres across the country. Investigators believe that increased agricultural production within correctional facilities could significantly reduce feeding costs while improving food quality and nutritional outcomes for inmates.
The report also recommended introducing policies that would encourage correctional institutions to meet a larger proportion of their feeding requirements through internally generated agricultural output.
DOYA News gathered that the panel expressed optimism that implementing its recommendations would significantly improve inmate welfare, enhance transparency in procurement processes, reduce corruption, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria's correctional system.
DOYA News understands that the findings have already sparked discussions among policymakers, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and correctional authorities regarding the urgent need for reforms capable of transforming custodial facilities into institutions that prioritize rehabilitation, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
As the Federal Government reviews the panel's recommendations, stakeholders across the country will be watching closely to see whether the report leads to meaningful reforms. For many observers, the investigation has exposed longstanding weaknesses within the correctional system while presenting a rare opportunity to implement lasting changes that could improve conditions for thousands of inmates and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria's criminal justice administration.