After nearly a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has stepped down as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of a tenure that spanned two administrations and some of the most contested elections in the nation’s recent history.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally accepted Yakubu’s departure following the completion of his second term in office, first appointed in November 2015 and reappointed in 2020. With his exit, Yakubu leaves behind a mixed legacy — one defined by institutional reforms, digital innovations in the voting process, and intense scrutiny over election outcomes that tested the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement released by the Presidency, President Tinubu praised Yakubu for his service and commitment to the democratic process. “The President thanks Professor Yakubu for his contributions to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement read, acknowledging his efforts to ensure credible elections throughout his tenure.
As a mark of recognition, President Tinubu conferred on Yakubu the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), one of the nation’s highest honours.
Pending the appointment of a new chairperson, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, has been directed to assume leadership in an acting capacity.
In a farewell letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President for what he called a “rare privilege to serve the Nigerian people” over the past ten years.
Yakubu’s departure closes a significant chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey — one that will continue to shape debates around electoral credibility, institutional independence, and the evolving relationship between power and the ballot.
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