President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), concluding his 10-year tenure at the helm of the electoral body.
Professor Yakubu’s second five-year term has now expired, having first been appointed in November 2015 and renewed in 2020.
In a formal statement by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu thanked the outgoing chairman for his service, specifically acknowledging his “efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.”
As a mark of national gratitude, President Tinubu has bestowed upon Professor Yakubu the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
To ensure a seamless transition, the President has directed that the outgoing chairman “should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu.” She will oversee the commission temporarily until a new chairman is appointed and confirmed.
In a statement dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to have served the nation as INEC chairman since 2015.
