President Bola Tinubu has approved an 18-month tenure extension for the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.
The Presidency announced the approval in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, Nwakuche’s tenure will now end on May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure has been extended until June 30, 2028.
Onanuga said the approval followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address a succession gap in both services and give the relevant board sufficient time to appoint successors.
The statement added that Tinubu commended both service chiefs for the reforms recorded under their leadership and urged them to consolidate the gains.
“The approval, which followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, addressed a succession gap in both Services and would allow the board enough time to appoint successors,” the statement said.
“President Tinubu commended Nwakuche and Nandap for the reforms achieved under their leadership and charged them to consolidate these gains.”
Tinubu’s Extension of Nwakuche’s Tenure
Tinubu nominated Nwakuche for the position of Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed his appointment in March 2025.
He initially assumed office as acting Controller-General on December 15, 2024, succeeding Haliru Nababa, whose tenure had expired.
Before his appointment, Nwakuche served as Deputy Controller-General in charge of Training and Staff Development.
The latest approval extends his tenure until May 26, 2028, allowing him to continue overseeing the correctional service while arrangements are made for his eventual successor.
Nandap Receives Second Tenure Extension
Nandap, who heads the Nigeria Immigration Service, was nominated by Tinubu on February 21, 2024, and confirmed by the Senate on March 1, 2024.
She reportedly completed 35 years of service on October 9, 2024, when she was due to retire.
In March 2025, Tinubu approved an earlier extension of her tenure, moving the retirement date from August 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026.
Monday’s approval marks her second tenure extension, with her new tenure end date set for June 30, 2028.
Nandap is the third woman to lead the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Why the Extensions Matter
The Presidency said the extensions would help address succession gaps in the Nigerian Correctional Service and Nigeria Immigration Service while giving the relevant board enough time to appoint successors.
The decision also allows both service chiefs to continue implementing reforms in their respective agencies.
The latest development comes as the Federal Government maintains its leadership and administrative arrangements across key agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
Further details on the process for appointing their successors were not provided in the statement.