Food Security: Reps Urge FG To Engage Correctional Centers Inmates In Farming Activities

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nigerian Correctional Service to deliberate policy measures to ensure food security step up through the engagement of inmates in farming activities.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Folorunsho Adegbesan.

The lawmaker while presenting the motion at the Plenary on Wednesday, stated that, correctional centres and other organisations around the world are creating and implementing sustainable food programmes to bring better nutrition to incarcerated people.

He noted that, there are positive examples of how correctional centres have tried to deal with food insecurity in African countries.

He said, “2017, a prison in Mozambique produced one tone of potatoes, which were used in the prison and shared with other prisons; Botswana, irrigation farming was introduced in 2025 to combat drought impacts on prison farms and ensure consistent prison food production, focusing on sorghum, cowpeas, lablab, and maize.

“Tanzania, in 2024, environmentally friendly and cost-effective stoves designed to operate using alternative charcoal and minimal firewood were introduced in 126 prisons; 2024, Mauritius introduced a fish processing plant at one of its prisons; Ghana Prisons Service equips inmates with modern cultivation skills to create agricultural activity in Ghana’s prisons and ensure that the standards of its prison system are consistent with internationally recognised norms and Namibia, Hydroponic systems have been utilised to improve food security in a female prison”.

Hon. Adegbesan informed that, approximately eleven (11) million people are currently being held in correctional centres worldwide.

He added, “In Nigeria, the total number of inmates in correctional centres across the country is 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females.

“Inadequate access to sufficient food compromises the immune system and leads to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that food affects physical and mental health and is key to an inmate’s successful rehabilitation and resettlement upon release”.

He emphasised that, food sustainability in correctional centres can help inmates receive nutritious food, learn about sustainable agricultural practices, and obtain vocational training experiences that can help them integrate back into society

He added, “Engaging inmates in farming will enhance food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture in Nigeria and beyond”.

The House adopted the motion and mandated the Committee on Interior and Reformatory Institutions to ensure compliance and report to within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.