Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally transferred the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who has assumed office as the Acting National Chairman of the commission.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC’s longest-serving National Commissioner, takes on the role following the conclusion of Professor Yakubu’s two-term, ten-year tenure as Chairman.

The transition was officially announced on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, Yakubu said his decision to step aside was in compliance with Section 306 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“In recognition of the significant challenges ahead, and having had the honour of serving the Commission for the past 10 years with only a few weeks remaining in my tenure, I have made a decision,” Yakubu stated.

“In the interim, I am handing over to one of the most senior National Commissioners by date of appointment. Following consultations with other commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.”

Yakubu explained that the temporary transition would allow sufficient time for the appointing authorities to name a new chairman while ensuring a seamless continuation of INEC’s operations.

He expressed gratitude to his colleagues, stakeholders, civil society groups, development partners, and Nigerians for their support throughout his decade-long tenure.

“Above all, I thank Nigerians for their comments and criticisms, which encouraged rather than discouraged us to persevere,” he said.

Yakubu also commended members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing them as “among the most educated, patriotic, and knowledgeable election officials” he had worked with.

As part of his farewell, the outgoing chairman presented two publications chronicling INEC’s work under his leadership — Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.

“All that remains at this point is to pray that God will continue to bless our country and our democracy,” Yakubu added, before formally handing over to Agbamuche-Mbu.

Before his exit, Yakubu outlined INEC’s preparations for several upcoming polls, including the Anambra governorship election next month, the FCT Area Council election in February 2026, and governorship elections in Ekiti (June 2026) and Osun (August 2026).

He further disclosed that the Commission had already commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections, pending the passage of a new Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.

Yakubu highlighted the Commission’s continuing priorities, including cleaning up the voters’ register, reviewing polling unit locations and voter allotments, and improving the management of political party primaries.

Reflecting on his tenure, Yakubu underscored INEC’s progress in leveraging technology for election management despite persistent challenges such as insecurity, natural disasters, and logistical constraints.

“Over the years, we have consolidated the biometric register of voters and replaced many manual processes with digital platforms and applications,” he noted.

“We achieved much in election technology, logistics, and transparency, but there is still more work to be done.”

Under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC introduced several innovations, including digital systems for election facility mapping, virtual training, political party finance monitoring, and the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

Appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2015 and confirmed by the Senate, Yakubu assumed office on November 9, 2015, succeeding Professor Attahiru Jega. He was reappointed in 2020 for a second five-year term — the first in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Born in May 1962, Yakubu previously served as Executive Secretary of the Education Trust Fund (ETF) before his foray into electoral administration.

In her acceptance remarks, the new Acting Chairman, Barr. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed humility and honour at the appointment. She paid tribute to Prof. Yakubu’s significant contributions and assured the commission of continuity.

“We assure you that the commission will do our very best to maintain and uphold the standards you have set. We will continue from where you stopped,” Agbamuche-Mbu stated. She pledged to “uphold the integrity of the commission and work with utmost professionalism, dedication, and in unity” with commissioners, directors, staff, and stakeholders.

Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment marks a notable milestone, making her the first woman to head INEC, albeit in an acting capacity, as Nigeria prepares for another critical electoral cycle.