Nigerian Federal Government Shifts Responsibility of Feeding Inmates to State Governments from 2024

 

The Nigerian Federal Government has declared that state governments should begin preparing to take over the responsibility of feeding inmates in correctional facilities from January 2024. This statement was made by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of the Command Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Owerri.

Aregbesola also stressed the need for states to utilize the constitutional amendment to improve the conditions of inmates in their domains, which he believes will help to decongest the custodial facilities. The majority of inmates in Nigeria are state offenders, accounting for more than 90 percent of the total number of inmates nationwide.

The Minister reiterated the urgent need for a comprehensive review of the nation's criminal justice system to address the high number of inmates who are awaiting trial and languishing in jail. He praised the Buhari-led administration for making significant efforts towards improving the reformation process at Custodial Centres, including increased budgetary provisions and the construction of new infrastructure at the facilities.

Aregbesola stated that the congestion of custodial centres, especially in urban centres with high population densities, has become a significant challenge, leading to a higher crime rate and the need to keep some people behind bars. He, however, assured that the construction of six mega custodial centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country will help to address the challenge.

The Minister emphasized that the Federal Government will stop feeding state inmates in federal facilities by January 1, 2024. State governments will now be responsible for budgeting for the feeding of their inmates in federal facilities while waiting for them to build their facilities.

The Minister called on state governments to take advantage of the constitution amendment, which makes corrections a concurrent affair. He urged them to invest in corrections to help decongest custodial centres and improve the welfare of inmates.