President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially accepted the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the completion of his second term in office.
Professor Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial five-year term. His appointment was renewed in 2020, culminating in the expiration of his tenure this year.
In a statement, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s service to the nation and his contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, especially through the conduct of credible elections during his two terms.
In recognition of his “dedicated service to the nation,” the President conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
President Tinubu further directed Yakubu to hand over to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC, who will oversee the commission’s affairs in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve as INEC chairman over the past decade.
