The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointments of Prof. Melvin D. Ayogu as a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Board of Directors and Sylvester Nwakuche as the substantive Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Ayogu Joins CBN Board

Ayogu, a professor of Economics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and an indigene of Enugu State, was confirmed following a thorough review by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Tokunbo Abiru.

His nomination, submitted by President Bola Tinubu last week in accordance with the CBN Act, 2007, was presented to the Senate by Senator Osita Izunaso on behalf of Abiru.

Nwakuche Takes Over Correctional Service

In a separate decision, the Senate also approved Sylvester Nwakuche as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service after deliberations led by the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Adams Oshiomhole.

Nwakuche’s confirmation follows his acting appointment by President Tinubu on December 13, 2024, replacing the outgoing Haliru Nababa.

His confirmation comes amid growing concerns over prison security, especially after a recent jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, where 12 inmates escaped—four of whom have since been recaptured.

Addressing the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio tasked Nwakuche with addressing the persistent security challenges within correctional facilities.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. I trust that his appointment will bring an end to the issue of jailbreaks,” Akpabio remarked.

With their confirmations, Ayogu and Nwakuche are expected to play pivotal roles in advancing financial governance and prison reforms under the Tinubu administration.

ENDS