Group Faults Tinubu Over Service Chiefs’ Extension, Warns of Nepotism

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenures of the heads of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) by 18 months, warning that the move promotes nepotism and stifles career progression within the agencies.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group argued that the Federal Government should allow serving heads of paramilitary agencies to leave office upon expiration of their tenures to give other qualified officers an opportunity to lead.

President Tinubu recently approved the 18-month extensions for the Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap. Under this new arrangement, Nwakuche will remain in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will now end on June 30, 2028.

According to the presidency, the extensions followed a formal recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The ministry cited the need to address a “succession gap” and to grant the governing boards of both agencies sufficient time to appoint substantive successors.

However, HURIWA firmly rejected this explanation, stating it exposes a lack of preparedness for leadership transitions and undermines established public service rules.

“No Officer Is Indispensable”

HURIWA stressed that Nigeria possesses an abundance of competent, well-trained personnel capable of steering the leadership of both agencies without resorting to prolonged tenure extensions.

“Repeatedly extending the tenures of serving chiefs discourages innovation, weakens succession planning, and demoralises officers who have spent years building their careers in anticipation of promotion to leadership positions,” the statement read.

The association urged the Interior Minister to identify qualified officers within the services to facilitate a transparent succession process. It suggested that if an urgent leadership gap arises, the government should explore lawful interim arrangements—including deploying qualified professional military officers where relevant laws permit—rather than keeping incumbents beyond their expected exit dates.

The rights group warned that a pattern of repeated tenure extensions across security and paramilitary institutions under the Tinubu administration risks fueling suspicions of favoritism and nepotism.

It called on the Federal Government to clarify the exact legal basis for these extensions and prove compliance with the regulations governing the two services.

“Continuity should not become an excuse for weakening institutional rules,” HURIWA asserted. “The strength of any public institution lies in its ability to develop capable successors and sustain effective leadership without compromising established rules.”

The association urged the Tinubu administration to protect the career progression of senior personnel and ensure that all future leadership appointments are made through transparent, merit-based procedures that serve national interest over individual officeholders.