The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to introduce large-scale farming programmes in correctional centres across the country to improve inmates’ nutrition and support their rehabilitation.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Folorunsho Adegbesan, who represents Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Waterside Federal Constituency of Ogun State.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Adegbesan decried the poor feeding condition in Nigerian prisons, warning that malnutrition had become widespread among inmates due to inadequate and unbalanced diets.
He noted that the situation amounted to “cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment,” citing concerns already raised by courts in several African countries over the frequency, quality, and quantity of meals provided in correctional facilities.
According to the lawmaker, more than 11 million people are held in correctional centres globally, while Nigeria currently houses 84,741 inmates—comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females.
Adegbesan said: “In many parts of the world, correctional centres are creating and implementing sustainable food programmes that improve inmates’ nutrition and equip them with agricultural and vocational skills needed for reintegration into society.”
He drew attention to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report which links nutrition directly to physical and mental wellbeing, stressing that adequate feeding plays a crucial role in successful rehabilitation and resettlement after imprisonment.
The Ogun lawmaker argued that engaging inmates in farming would not only address food insecurity in correctional centres but also reduce government expenditure on inmate feeding, enhance skills acquisition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
He said: “Food sustainability in our correctional centres can help inmates receive nutritious meals, learn sustainable agricultural practices, and gain vocational experience that will make them useful citizens upon release.”
Lawmakers who supported the motion described the proposal as a practical step toward addressing persistent concerns about prison welfare, food shortages, and poor rehabilitation outcomes.
The House consequently urged the Nigerian Correctional Service, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to develop a framework for integrating inmates into farming programmes nationwide.
Adegbesan further maintained that beyond boosting prison nutrition, the initiative would “contribute to national food production and align with global best practices in correctional management.”
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