Tinubu Extends Tenure of Immigration and Correctional Service Chiefs by 18 Months

Tinubu extends tenure of the heads of two major federal security agencies, granting an 18-month extension to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The announcement, detailed in a State House press release on Monday, confirmed the extensions for Kemi Nanna Nandap (NIS) and Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche (NCoS).

This high-level decision followed a formal recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The primary goal of the extension is to effectively address a looming succession gap within both services, providing their respective governing boards with sufficient time to organize and appoint qualified successors.

Following the presidential approval, Nwakuche’s tenure will now officially end on May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will conclude on June 30, 2028.

The Context Behind Why Tinubu Extends Tenure

The extensions arrive at a critical juncture for the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Immigration Service. Concerns had recently been raised regarding the mass retirement of hundreds of officers scheduled for 2026, including senior personnel, which posed significant implications for leadership continuity.

President Tinubu commended both Nandap and Nwakuche for the substantial reforms achieved during their initial time in office. He charged the leaders to consolidate these gains over the next 18 months.

• Nwakuche’s Timeline: Tinubu initially nominated Nwakuche as Controller-General in December 2024, with Senate confirmation following in March 2025.
• Nandap’s Timeline: Nandap was nominated as Comptroller-General in February 2024 and confirmed by the Senate in March 2024.
• Legal Framework: While the NCS Act of 2019 stipulates a single five-year term subject to retirement limits, the Immigration Act of 2015 does not specify a fixed term for its comptroller-general.

The strategic extension aims to maintain institutional stability while the interior ministry and relevant boards systematically map out the future leadership structure of Nigeria’s critical security and immigration frameworks.