By Hadiza Galadima
Nigeria’s Correctional Service (NCoS) Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, briefed the House of Representatives on the agency’s 2025 performance and 2026 budget.
The report underscores a system under significant strain:
As of February 9, 2026, the total inmate population reached 80,812 with a critical congestion issue.
Inmate awaiting Trial 51,955 (64%),Convicted inmate 24,913 while other detainees 3,850.
While the NCoS received ₦184.63bn in total appropriation, funding was unevenly distributed across its operations:
90.6% of the ₦124.31bn budget was utilized for salaries and pensions.
₦27.28bn was spent on feeding, yet the agency still owes ₦10.75bn in outstanding food obligations.
₦6.49bn covered essentials like court transport, training, and utilities.
While capital projects saw the lowest implementation, with only 22.2% (₦3.22bn) of the allocated ₦14.50bn released.
The lack of capital funding has stalled the construction and rehabilitation of facilities, leaving aging centers to operate far beyond capacity.
Nwakuche emphasized that without these funds, the Service struggles to maintain security, upgrade ICT for biometrics, or improve prison farms.
