President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), effective December 15, 2024. This follows the retirement of Haliru Nababa, who served as Comptroller-General for three years and seven months. Nababa, appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, concluded his tenure with a ceremonial pulling-out event on Friday, as his official retirement date is December 15.
A statement signed by Ahmed Ja’afaru, Secretary of the Board of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services, confirmed the appointment. Nwakuche Ndidi, born on November 26, 1966, in Oguta, Imo State, previously served as the Deputy Controller-General overseeing the Training and Staff Development Directorate. He is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and holds the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honor.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, praised Nababa for his visionary leadership and dedication to advancing the Nigerian Correctional Service. Speaking during the pulling-out ceremony, Tunji-Ojo commended Nababa’s exceptional tenure, highlighting the progress made in reforming, rehabilitating, and reintegrating inmates in alignment with the government’s vision for justice and public safety. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Minister conveyed President Tinubu’s gratitude and wished Nababa a fulfilling retirement.
In his valedictory speech, Nababa reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “The journey which began in the year 1990 when I enlisted into the then Nigerian Prisons Service, climaxed in the year 2021, on the 10th of May to be precise when I was appointed the Controller-General of the NCoS. Now, with profound gratitude to God Almighty, the journey has finally come to a happy end,” he said.
Nababa acknowledged the immense responsibilities of his role and adopted an inclusive management approach to build on the legacies of his predecessors while addressing emerging challenges. He emphasized the unwavering support from his management team and field officers, which enabled significant progress across various areas, including security, logistics, healthcare services, staff training, inmates’ welfare, and promotions.
Highlighting his achievements, Nababa mentioned strides in capacity building, improved healthcare services, and enhanced welfare for both staff and inmates. He credited these successes to collaborative efforts and constructive engagement with stakeholders. Nababa concluded by thanking President Tinubu and the Minister of Interior for their support throughout his tenure.
Tunji-Ojo’s remarks underscored the transformative impact of Nababa’s leadership on the NCoS, describing his contributions as pivotal to the Service’s core mandate. He also lauded Nababa’s dedication to public safety and justice, which he noted had set a high standard for his successors.
Nwakuche Ndidi now assumes leadership at a critical time, bringing decades of experience to further strengthen the NCoS’s mission of rehabilitation and reintegration. His background in staff development and policy strategy positions him to build on Nababa’s legacy and address emerging challenges within the correctional system.
