The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenures of the heads of the Nigerian Correctional Service and Nigeria Immigration Service by 18 months
The group in a statement on Thursday by its national Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko warned that the move could stall promotions and fuel allegations of nepotism.
The association urged the Federal Government to allow the incumbents to leave office at the end of their tenures and give qualified officers the opportunity to succeed them through a transparent, merit-based process.
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 allow the governing boards of the two agencies sufficient time to appoint successors.
But HURIWA questioned the explanation, arguing that leadership transitions should be planned before incumbents complete their tenures rather than managed through prolonged extensions.
The association also warned that retaining serving chiefs beyond their expected exit dates could frustrate senior officers awaiting promotion, weaken succession planning and discourage innovation within the services.
HURIWA maintained that Nigeria had enough competent personnel to sustain both agencies without repeatedly extending the tenures of their heads.
It urged the Interior Minister to identify qualified successors early and ensure that appointments followed established service rules and merit-based procedures.
The association added that lawful interim arrangements could be considered where necessary to prevent leadership gaps while substantive appointments were concluded.
HURIWA also warned that repeated tenure extensions across security and paramilitary institutions could fuel perceptions that privileged access, rather than professional competence, determines career advancement.
It called on the Federal Government to clarify the legal basis for the extensions and demonstrate that the decisions complied with the laws and regulations governing the two services.
The group argued that continuity should not become an excuse for weakening institutional rules or disadvantaging qualified officers who have spent years working towards promotion.
It further urged the Tinubu administration to strengthen succession planning, protect career progression and ensure that leadership appointments serve institutional interests rather than create suspicions of favouritism.
HURIWA maintained that no public officer was indispensable and that strong institutions should be capable of sustaining effective leadership through orderly transitions.
