As CG Babandede Prepares to Bow Out, The Search For a New NIS CG Begins

Muhammad Babandede
Comptroller General of Immigration


The Federal government has begun the selection process for the appointment of a new Comptroller-General of Immigration Service.

 The incumbent CG Muhammad Babandede, will retire soon as his tenure which was extended last year expires. Babandede, who hails from Jigawa State, is the longest-serving officer of the agency, having joined the service in June 1985.

 As contained in a letter to the selection committee by Babandede dated August 9, 2021, obtained by our correspondent on Monday.

 The letter titled, ‘Re: Selection committee for the appointment of Comptroller-General,’ was addressed to the CDCFIB Secretary.

It read in part, “With reference to your letter CDCFIB/CG’S/SEP/596/Vol.1/62 dated 3rd August 2021 in respect of the above subject matter; please find attached the curriculum vitae and photocopies of the documents of the affected officers. “In line with the guidelines, 12 officers were qualified, out of which ACG Zainab Lawal voluntarily decided not to contest and DCG Haliru is unable to submit attachment to back his CV.”

 The committee is expected to shortlist and present the top candidates to the board chaired by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for appointment of the next CG subject to the approval of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

 The outgoing CG has sent the names of 10 Deputy and Assistant Comptroller-General to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Immigration and Fire Services Board for selection of the next NIS boss.

 Out of the 12 persons who qualified for the coveted position, ACG Zainab Lawal voluntarily decided not to contest while DCG Haliru Ishaka reportedly failed to submit attachment to back his curriculum vitae.

Some of those being considered for the position include DCGs Aminu Yarima, Ifeoma Opara, Wuraola Adepoju, Sule Wunti and about six ACGs.

The selection committee is expected to shortlist and present the top candidates to the board chaired by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for appointment of the next CG subject to the approval of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.