“Their Tenures Will Now Run Until 2028” — Tinubu Extends Service Chiefs’ Stay in Office

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended the tenures of two top security service officials by 18 months, keeping the heads of the Nigerian Correctional Service and Nigeria Immigration Service in office until 2028 in a move the Presidency says will give authorities more time to arrange their succession.

The affected officials are Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service. Their tenure extensions were announced on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

Under the new arrangement, Nwakuche will remain in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will end on June 30, 2028.

According to Onanuga, the President approved the extensions following a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The decision is intended to address a succession gap in both services and provide their governing board with sufficient time to appoint successors.

The extensions mean both officials will continue leading their respective agencies beyond their previously scheduled tenure dates, allowing the administration to maintain continuity while succession arrangements are put in place.

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Tinubu commended the two service chiefs for the reforms recorded under their leadership and directed them to consolidate the gains made so far. However, the Presidency did not specify the particular reforms that informed the decision or provide further details on the succession process.

Nwakuche was nominated by Tinubu to lead the Nigerian Correctional Service in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed his appointment in March 2025.

Nandap’s appointment followed a similar process. The President nominated her as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service on February 21, 2024, and the Senate confirmed her appointment on March 1, 2024.