₦airaland Forum

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 was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday through 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[b] addition, it called for measures “to remove incentives linking custodial centre population to an increase in profit margin from food ration awards.”
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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.

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against leaving the country without valid travel documents.

In a public alert posted on X on Monday, DCI AS Akinlabi, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), stressed that such actions are illegal and expose individuals to serious risks.

It cautioned that all international travel must be carried out with a valid passport, visa (where required), and other approved immigration documents.

It noted that any attempt to bypass official procedures or use unauthorised border routes constitutes a violation of Nigerian law.

The NIS also raised concern over the growing use of fraudulent migration schemes, where criminal networks lure unsuspecting citizens, particularly young people, with false promises of employment, education, or better living conditions abroad.

“These schemes often result in forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation,” the service warned, adding that no legitimate travel process bypasses established immigration procedures or official border posts.

Members of the public were also advised to report suspicious activities to the nearest Immigration Service formation or other relevant security agencies.

The agency urged Nigerians to verify all travel and recruitment offers through official channels and avoid dealing with unregistered agents or individuals promoting irregular migration.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced the implementation of a 30-day visa exemption for Rwandan nationals.

The directive followed an announcement by President Bola Tinubu at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

The exemption reciprocates a similar gesture extended by the Rwandan government to Nigerian citizens.

The NIS, in a statement signed by its Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, on Friday, said the arrangement took immediate effect.

“Following the announcement by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, granting Rwandan nationals a 30-day visa exemption, reciprocating similar gesture from Rwandan Government to Nigerian citizens, the Nigeria Immigration Service has completed all arrangements for the directive’s implementation,” the statement read.

Under the bilateral arrangement, Rwandan nationals may enter Nigeria without a visa for up to 30 days for lawful purposes, including tourism, business, and official engagements.

The service, however, noted that those seeking to stay beyond the approved period must obtain the appropriate visa.

“Individuals seeking to remain in Nigeria beyond the approved 30-day period will be required to obtain the appropriate visa through a Nigerian Embassy or High Commission abroad, or the Nigeria e-Visa channel,” it stated.

The NIS added that all international entry points had been put on notice.

“All international entry points, including airports, land borders, and seaports, have been directed to commence immediate implementation of the policy in line with the Presidential directive,” the statement said.

The service described the initiative as one that “reflects the strong diplomatic and bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Rwanda, while promoting intra-African mobility, tourism, and economic cooperation in line with continental aspirations.”

It added that it “remains committed to facilitating safe, orderly, and lawful migration in accordance with international best practices and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately withdraw and deactivate passports held by persons who have formally renounced their Nigerian citizenship.

The directive, contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media, Alao Babatunde, covers Nigerians whose renunciation requests have been formally approved by the President.

Tunji-Ojo said the ministry, saddled with the responsibility of citizenship integrity, derives its authority for the directive from Section 29(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The statement quoted the constitutional provision as stating: “(1)Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.

“(2)The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.”

According to the statement, the minister said once a person ceases to be a citizen, they can no longer hold any sovereign document of Nigeria, including a passport.

He also described the move as consistent with ongoing passport and visa reforms undertaken by the ministry in recent years.

He said the latest directive was aimed at closing a gap that allowed former citizens to continue travelling on Nigerian passports after their renunciation had been officially recognised.

“We will continue to strengthen systems that secure Nigeria’s borders, prevent identity fraud, preserve the sanctity of Nigerian citizenship, and facilitate legitimate travel while preventing unauthorised or ineligible access,” Tunji-Ojo said.