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 and the Nigeria Immigration Service by 18 months, warning that the move could undermine institutional growth, block career progression and fuel suspicions of nepotism.
HURIWA says the Federal Government should allow serving heads of paramilitary agencies to leave office when their tenures expire and give qualified officers within the services the opportunity to take over.
The association argues that 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.
President Tinubu approved the extensions for the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap.
Under the arrangement, Nwakuche will remain in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure will end on June 30, 2028.
The presidency said the extensions followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address a succession gap and give the governing boards of the two agencies sufficient time to appoint successors.
However, HURIWA says the explanation raises questions about the government’s preparedness for leadership transitions and its commitment to established service rules.
The association insists that the government should prepare successors ahead of time rather than extend the tenures of incumbents after their expected exit dates.
HURIWA: No officer is indispensable
HURIWA says Nigeria has enough competent and well-trained personnel to sustain the leadership of its correctional and immigration services without resorting to prolonged tenure extensions.
The association urges the Interior Minister to identify qualified officers within the services and facilitate a transparent succession process.
It adds that, where an urgent leadership gap arises, the government could explore lawful interim arrangements, including the deployment of qualified professional military officers where the relevant laws permit, pending the appointment of substantive heads.
HURIWA warns that keeping serving chiefs in office beyond their established tenures could stall promotions, frustrate deserving officers and create the impression that advancement in public service depends more on privileged access than merit.
The association says continuity should not become an excuse for weakening institutional rules, adding that no public officer should be treated as indispensable.
HURIWA raises nepotism concerns
HURIWA says repeated tenure extensions across security and paramilitary institutions under the Tinubu administration risk fuelling suspicions of favouritism and nepotism, particularly when the government fails to provide sufficiently transparent explanations for its decisions.
The association calls on the Federal Government to clarify the legal basis for the extensions and demonstrate that they comply with the laws and regulations governing the two services.
It stresses that the government must apply service rules consistently and ensure that decisions affecting senior appointments do not unfairly disadvantage other qualified officers.
HURIWA says public institutions cannot develop strong succession systems if the government repeatedly changes leadership timelines to retain incumbents instead of allowing established processes to produce their successors.
HURIWA demands transparent succession
The association calls on the Minister of Interior to strengthen succession planning and ensure that qualified officers are prepared to assume leadership before serving chiefs complete their tenures.
It also urges the government to protect the career progression of senior personnel and make leadership appointments through transparent, merit-based procedures.
HURIWA maintains that effective governance requires strong institutions, predictable rules and orderly transitions rather than arrangements that could create uncertainty or perceptions of preferential treatment.
The association says the Tinubu administration must demonstrate that its decisions on public appointments serve institutional interests and national development rather than the interests of individual officeholders.
HURIWA reiterates that no officer is indispensable and that the strength of any public institution lies in its ability to develop capable successors and sustain effective leadership without compromising established rules.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
21st October, 2026
