President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the completion of his second and final tenure.
In recognition of his decade-long service to Nigeria’s democracy, President Tinubu has conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled “President Tinubu Accepts INEC Chairman’s Departure, Bestows National Honour on Him.”
According to the statement, the President commended Professor Yakubu for his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and for overseeing the conduct of credible elections during his two terms in office.
“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 read in part.
“In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger. The President also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the affairs of the commission until a new chairman is appointed.”
Professor Yakubu, appointed as INEC’s 14th chairman in November 2015, was reappointed in 2020 after Senate confirmation for another five-year term, now concluded.
During his ten-year stewardship, Yakubu presided over the 2019 and 2023 general elections and introduced significant technological reforms, including the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, aimed at enhancing transparency in the electoral process.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation over two consecutive terms.
President Tinubu, in response, lauded his commitment to democratic consolidation and acknowledged his pivotal role in conducting elections described as free, fair, and credible.
With his exit, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner, will act as Chairman of the Commission pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu leaves office as the longest-serving INEC Chairman since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
