The Correctional Service said provision has been made for the feeding of inmates and recruitment of 5,000 personnel
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has revealed the sum of N38 billion has been allocated for feeding the country’s 91,100 inmates, at a daily cost of N1,125 per person.
The service also said in order to address the overcrowding crisis and strengthen the NCoS, President Bola Tinubu has directed the recruitment of 5,000 new personnel into the service.
Mr. Sylvester Ndidi, Acting Comptroller General of the NCoS said these during his appearance before the House of Representatives committee on reformatory institutions, chaired by Rep. Chinedu Ogar.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ndidi disclosed that the president granted approval for the recruitment in August 2024, but the process faced delays due to funding shortfalls. This he said has hampered the ability to meet the salary and allowance requirements for the new recruits.
However, Ndidi assured lawmakers that the recruitment would proceed, contingent on the approval from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), with the necessary budgetary allocations now included in the 2025 fiscal year.
The delay in recruitment drew concerns from committee members, particularly Rep. Victor Ogene (LP Anambra). He stressed the importance of transparency and timeliness in the process, emphasising the urgent need for new personnel to address the crisis in correctional facilities.
“Some of us have been inquiring for months about whether this recruitment is happening behind closed doors, and we will not accept such an outcome. This process should be transparent and timely,” Ogene said.
In response, Ndidi assured lawmakers that the recruitment would commence as soon as funding is confirmed, reiterating that cash backing had been the primary obstacle to implementing the presidential directive.
During the hearing, Ndidi also presented the NCS’s proposed 2025 budget, amounting to N183.6 billion. The breakdown includes N127 billion for personnel costs, N45.8 billion for overheads, and N13.4 billion for capital expenditures.
A notable allocation of N38 billion has been set aside for feeding the country’s 91,100 inmates, at a daily cost of N1,125 per person. However, Ndidi highlighted a reduction in capital expenditure by N762 million, which he said hampers efforts to modernize custodial facilities and improve security.
He appealed for an additional N70.4 billion to fund critical upgrades. “To ensure the effective running of the service, we need advanced technology in our facilities. This includes CCTV surveillance, biometric scanners, body cameras for our staff, and state-of-the-art security systems across all correctional centers,” Ndidi emphasised.
The modernization plans also encompass upgrading the NCS’s seven training institutions to meet modern ICT standards and acquiring new operational vehicles and arms for security personnel.
With President Tinubu’s directive and provisions in the 2025 budget, the NCS is set for a significant transformation. The reforms aim to alleviate overcrowding, enhance security, and digitize inmate management, fostering a more efficient correctional system.
“Whether this overhaul will alleviate the longstanding issues of overcrowding and inadequate personnel remains to be seen, but the steps taken thus far suggest a much-needed shift in the country’s correctional system,” Ndidi stated.
