Isaac Samuel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an 18-month extension of the tenures of the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap.
Following the approval, Nwakuche’s tenure will now end on May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will end on June 30, 2028.
The extension followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address a succession gap in both services and allow their respective boards sufficient time to appoint successors.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the two service chiefs for the reforms achieved under their leadership and charged them to consolidate the gains.
The approval is expected to give the relevant authorities additional time to manage the leadership transition in both agencies and put succession arrangements in place.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is responsible for the custody, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates across the country. Its duties include managing correctional facilities, ensuring the safe custody of inmates and implementing programmes designed to prepare offenders for reintegration into society.
The service also plays a role in the administration of custodial and non-custodial sentences as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Tinubu nominated Nwakuche as Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed his appointment in March 2025.
The Nigeria Immigration Service is responsible for enforcing immigration laws, managing the movement of people into and out of the country, issuing travel documents and supporting efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders.
The agency also works with other security organisations to address irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and other cross-border crimes.
Tinubu nominated Nandap as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service on February 21, 2024. The Senate confirmed her appointment on March 1, 2024.
Both agencies operate under the Federal Ministry of Interior, headed by Tunji-Ojo, which oversees key aspects of internal security and related administrative responsibilities.
The Presidency said the tenure extensions followed the minister’s recommendation to address a succession gap and provide the boards of the two services with sufficient time to appoint successors.
Tinubu charged Nwakuche and Nandap to consolidate the reforms recorded under their leadership during the extended period.
