President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second term in office.
In a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu commended Yakubu for his service to the nation and his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process over the past decade.
Appointed in November 2015 as the 14th Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu served two consecutive five-year terms, overseeing the conduct of the 2019 and 2023 general elections alongside several state and off-cycle polls.
President Tinubu, in recognition of Yakubu’s dedication and leadership, bestowed on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
“President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure,” the statement reads.
The President also directed Yakubu to hand over to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will now oversee INEC in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as electoral chief for ten years.
