Tinubu Extends Tenures of Correctional Service, Immigration Service Heads by 18 Months

By: Tunji Okunlola

President Bola Tinubu has approved 18-month tenure extensions for the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.

In a statement on Monday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nwakuche’s tenure will now run until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s will end on June 30, 2028.

Onanuga said the approval followed a recommendation from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. He explained that it closes a succession gap in both services and gives the board enough time to appoint successors. According to the statement, Tinubu praised both officials for the reforms achieved under their leadership and urged them to consolidate those gains.

Nwakuche was nominated by Tinubu in December 2024 and confirmed by the Senate in March 2025. He was first named acting Controller-General from December 15, 2024, succeeding Haliru Nababa, whose tenure had expired. At the time, he was Deputy Controller-General in charge of Training and Staff Development.

Nandap was nominated 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 extended her tenure by 16 months, from August 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026, which makes Monday’s approval her second extension. She is the third woman to head the Immigration Service.