Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially concluded his tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ending a decade-long leadership that oversaw two general election cycles and several off-season polls across Nigeria.
Yakubu’s second and final five-year term formally expires in November 2025, but he has stepped down ahead of schedule to allow for a smooth transition of leadership within the Commission.
Following his exit, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal practitioner and current National Commissioner, has assumed duties as Acting Chairman of INEC.
Agbamuche-Mbu, who also chairs the Legal Services, Clearance & Complaints Committee (LSCCC), will oversee the Commission’s affairs pending the appointment of a substantive chairman by the President and confirmation by the Senate.
Yakubu first assumed office in November 2015, completing his initial five-year tenure in 2020. He was subsequently renominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a second term, making him the first INEC Chairman in Nigeria’s history to serve two consecutive terms.
During his farewell meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday, Yakubu expressed gratitude to INEC staff and stakeholders for their cooperation, dedication, and professionalism throughout his tenure.
“My time at the Commission has been one of both great challenges and notable accomplishments. Nigeria’s electoral process is complex, but together, we have made progress in transparency, innovation, and credibility,” Yakubu stated.
The acting chairman, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, is expected to ensure continuity in the Commission’s reform efforts, particularly in digital voter registration, result transmission, and institutional strengthening ahead of future elections.
Her appointment marks another milestone in INEC’s leadership, bringing a legal and gender-inclusive perspective to the Commission’s top administrative office.
