Breaking: Tinubu extends tenures of Immigration, Correctional Service chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an additional 18-month tenure extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche.

The extension will keep Nwakuche in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will run until June 30, 2028.

The presidential approval was disclosed on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement announcing the decision. Blueprint reports

According to Onanuga, the extension followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and was intended to address a succession gap in the two agencies while giving their governing board sufficient time to appoint successors.

Tinubu commended both security chiefs for reforms recorded under their leadership and urged them to consolidate the gains made in their respective services.

The decision extends the leadership of two agencies central to Nigeria’s internal security architecture: the Immigration Service, which manages the country’s borders and migration processes, and the Correctional Service, which is responsible for the safe custody, reformation and rehabilitation of persons held in correctional facilities.

The extension also gives both agencies additional time to pursue ongoing reforms as the Federal Government continues to prioritise border security, migration management, custodial security and the administration of criminal justice.

Why Tinubu approved the extensions

The Presidency said the extensions were recommended by the Minister of Interior to address a succession gap and allow the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board to make arrangements for the appointment of successors.

The decision means the two agency heads will remain in charge beyond their previously scheduled tenure dates, providing continuity in the management of their respective institutions.

For the Immigration Service, the extension comes as Nigeria continues to modernise passport administration, strengthen border surveillance and deploy technology to improve the identification and tracking of international travellers.

For the Correctional Service, it comes amid persistent challenges involving overcrowding, the high number of awaiting-trial inmates, custodial security, inmate welfare and the need to strengthen rehabilitation and non-custodial measures.

Although the Presidency did not announce specific new targets alongside the extension, Tinubu’s directive that both officers consolidate existing reforms places emphasis on continuity and delivery.

Nwakuche: From correctional officer to service chief

Nwakuche, who was born on November 26, 1966, in Oguta, Imo State, has spent more than three decades in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He joined the service in 1990 as an Assistant Superintendent of Corrections and rose through the ranks, serving in several operational and administrative positions before his appointment as its head.

His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar, a master’s degree in Political Science, with a specialisation in International Relations, from the University of Lagos, and a diploma in French. He is also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, and holds the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Before becoming the service chief, Nwakuche served as Technical Assistant to the Presidency on Correctional Service matters and as Deputy Controller-General in charge of Training and Staff Development.

President Tinubu appointed him acting Controller-General on December 15, 2024, following the retirement of Haliru Nababa. He was subsequently appointed substantive Controller-General, with his tenure taking effect from April 23, 2025, and originally scheduled to end on November 27, 2026.

His leadership agenda has focused on improving security, addressing overcrowding, strengthening personnel capacity, improving inmates’ welfare and expanding rehabilitation opportunities.

In February 2026, Nwakuche convened a high-level meeting involving correctional authorities, parole boards and civil society stakeholders to harmonise procedures for the consideration and approval of parole recommendations.

The initiative was part of wider efforts to strengthen non-custodial measures and improve coordination across Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

However, overcrowding remains a major challenge. Figures presented during discussions of the service’s 2026 budget proposals showed that a substantial proportion of the country’s custodial population comprised awaiting-trial inmates. The situation continues to place pressure on accommodation, feeding, healthcare and other essential services.

Nwakuche’s extended tenure will therefore provide additional time to pursue reforms aimed at improving custodial conditions, strengthening security and making rehabilitation a more effective part of correctional administration.

Nandap: A career immigration officer

Nandap, the 19th Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, has also spent decades in public service.

She joined the NIS on October 9, 1989, and rose through the ranks over more than three decades. Her career has included assignments at immigration commands and headquarters, as well as responsibilities relating to migration management, border administration and travel documentation.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, a master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Jos, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Abuja. She has also undertaken professional training in immigration administration.

Before becoming Comptroller-General, Nandap served as an Assistant Comptroller-General and subsequently as a Deputy Comptroller-General. She oversaw the Migration Directorate and was involved in initiatives addressing human trafficking, migrant smuggling and international migration cooperation.

She was also assigned to the Passport and Other Travel Documents Directorate before her appointment as head of the service.

Tinubu appointed her Comptroller-General in February 2024, and the Senate confirmed her appointment in March of that year.

In March 2025, the President approved an earlier extension of her tenure until December 31, 2026. The latest approval therefore provides a further 18 months beyond that date, keeping her in office until June 30, 2028.

Immigration reforms and border security

Under Nandap’s leadership, the Immigration Service has pursued reforms aimed at modernising passport processing, strengthening border surveillance and improving the management of international travel.

Key initiatives have included the deployment of electronic border solutions, the expansion of automated immigration processes and the use of passenger information systems to support the screening of travellers.

The service has also pursued the deployment of electronic gates at airports and improvements in visa administration, with the broader objective of making legitimate travel more efficient while strengthening the detection of irregular migration and security threats.

In July 2026, Nigeria completed the integration of its electronic passport authentication system into the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Public Key Directory. The development was intended to make the verification of Nigerian electronic passports more seamless at border control points internationally.

The service has also worked with regional and international partners on migration governance, the prevention of migrant smuggling and the improvement of travel-document security.

Despite these initiatives, border management remains a complex responsibility, given Nigeria’s extensive land borders, irregular migration routes and the challenges associated with human trafficking, smuggling and document fraud.

Nandap’s extended tenure will give the service additional time to consolidate technological improvements, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and improve service delivery.

What the extensions mean for the two agencies

The decision to retain both officers provides continuity at a time when their agencies face substantial operational and institutional demands.

For the Correctional Service, the priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving the treatment and rehabilitation of inmates, strengthening custodial security and expanding the use of non-custodial alternatives where legally appropriate.

For the Immigration Service, the focus includes modern border management, secure travel documentation, improved passport services and stronger systems for monitoring cross-border movement.

The extensions also give the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board additional time to undertake the succession process, according to the Presidency’s explanation.

Tinubu’s commendation of both service chiefs and his directive that they consolidate existing reforms indicate that continuity and implementation will remain central to their responsibilities during the extended period.

Their continued leadership will nevertheless be measured by the results achieved, including improvements in public-facing services, operational effectiveness, accountability and the ability of both institutions to respond to evolving security challenges.

With Nwakuche now expected to remain in office until May 26, 2028, and Nandap until June 30, 2028, the Federal Government has provided both agencies with an extended period under their current leadership while preparations for succession are made.