Human rights activist and political figure Omoyele Sowore has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for extending the tenures of top civil servants beyond their retirement age, describing the practice as a barrier to career advancement for younger officials and a reward for incompetence. In a statement posted on his 𝕏 account on Tuesday, Sowore accused the Tinubu administration of enabling “recalcitrant” officials who cling to power, thereby forcing subordinates into mandatory retirement or stifling their professional growth.

“This situation is intolerable!” Sowore declared. “Under President Bola Tinubu’s governance, the practice of rewarding incompetent and long-serving civil servants who refuse to relinquish their positions after attaining retirement age has become obstinately prevalent, thereby obstructing the career progression of others who are either mandatorily retired or coerced out of their roles by these recalcitrant officials.”

The criticism follows Tinubu’s approval on Monday of a tenure extension for Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga. Sowore also condemned a similar extension granted to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, linking both officials to alleged human rights abuses.

He accused Nandap of placing Tinubu’s political opponents on a national watchlist during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, restricting their movement at airports and borders. Sowore further alleged that Egbetokun, as police chief, oversaw the lethal suppression of demonstrators and the prosecution of minors on “treason” charges.

“This Nigeria Immigration Service Controller-General Kemi Nandap started placing Tinubu opponents on the national watchlist at airports and border posts across Nigeria during #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in August 2024, just as Kayode Egbetokun as IGP of Nigeria Police Force was murdering protesters and charging minors for treason,” Sowore stated.

The activist’s remarks highlight growing scrutiny of Tinubu’s retention of aging officials, with critics arguing the trend undermines institutional efficiency and fuels intergenerational inequity in public service.