President Bola Tinubu approved 18‑month tenure extensions for the heads of Nigeria’s Correctional Service and Immigration Service on Monday, a move that will keep Immigration chief Kemi Nanna Nandap and prison chief Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche in their posts until mid‑2028. The decision, announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows a recommendation from Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo aimed at averting leadership gaps while the services’ boards search for successors.
The extensions mean Nwakuche will continue as Controller‑General of the Nigerian Correctional Service until 26 May 2028, and Nandap will remain Comptroller‑General of the Nigeria Immigration Service until 30 June 2028. Both officials were first appointed by Tinubu, Nwakuche in December 2024, confirmed by the Senate in March 2025, and Nandap nominated in February 2024 and confirmed a month later. Their continued tenure is intended to give the agencies stability and allow time for thorough succession planning.
In the statement, Onanuga highlighted that the Interior Ministry’s recommendation was driven by the need to prevent a leadership vacuum that could disrupt ongoing reforms. He noted that the extensions provide the boards of the two agencies sufficient breathing space to identify and vet suitable replacements without compromising service delivery. The move also reflects Tinubu’s appreciation for the progress made under the two chiefs. “President Tinutu commended Nwakuche and Nandap for the reforms achieved under their leadership and charged them to consolidate these gains,” the statement read.
Both agencies have been under scrutiny in recent years as Nigeria seeks to modernise its correctional facilities and streamline immigration processes. The Correctional Service has embarked on a series of infrastructural upgrades, aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving inmate welfare. Meanwhile, the Immigration Service has rolled out electronic visa systems and biometric verification to curb illegal entry and enhance border security. Observers have credited Nandap and Nwakuche with accelerating these initiatives, though challenges remain.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo, who initially put forward the extension proposal, emphasized that continuity at the top is crucial for the successful implementation of long‑term projects. He told reporters that sudden changes in leadership could stall reforms that require sustained oversight, such as the construction of new prison units and the integration of digital platforms in immigration checkpoints. The minister added that the 18‑month period aligns with the typical budgeting cycle, allowing the agencies to present comprehensive performance reports before any transition.
The Senate’s role in confirming the original appointments show the political weight of these positions. Both Nwakuche and Nandap secured their mandates after thorough vetting, a process that the President’s office hopes will be mirrored when their successors are eventually chosen. Analysts suggest that the extensions could also serve a political purpose, giving Tinubu’s administration more time to assess the broader security and migration landscape before introducing new leadership.
Reactions from civil society have been mixed. Some advocacy groups welcomed the stability, arguing that frequent turnover can impede policy continuity and erode public trust. Others called for a transparent and merit‑based selection process for the eventual successors, warning against the perception of patronage. The Nigeria Union of Prison Officers released a statement saying that the extension allows staff to focus on operational matters rather than leadership uncertainty. In contrast, a coalition of migrant rights organisations urged the Immigration Service to maintain its recent reforms aimed at reducing processing delays and improving the treatment of asylum seekers.
The extensions also have budgetary implications. Keeping the incumbents in place for an additional year and a half means that their remuneration packages, including allowances and benefits, will be funded through the 2025‑2027 fiscal allocations. The Ministry of Finance has been briefed on the cost impact, and officials have indicated that the extensions fit within the existing budgetary framework without necessitating extra appropriations.
Looking ahead, the boards of the Correctional Service and Immigration Service are expected to commence a structured search for new leaders well before the 2028 deadlines. The President’s office has signalled that any future appointments will undergo the same Senate confirmation process, ensuring legislative oversight. Meanwhile, Nandap and Nwakuche have been tasked with consolidating recent gains, such as the rollout of a new inmate rehabilitation program and the introduction of a streamlined visa‑on‑arrival system at major airports.
As the extensions take effect, the ministries involved will monitor the performance of both chiefs, with periodic reports slated for review by the President’s advisory team. The next public update is anticipated in early 2025, when the agencies will present their mid‑term reviews and outline plans for the final phase of their current reform agendas.
