President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has 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.
Yakubu, who was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission, served for two consecutive five-year terms, with his reappointment in 2020 marking the beginning of his final tenure.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Professor Yakubu’s “dedicated service to the nation and his commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
”The President particularly lauded Yakubu’s efforts in ensuring the conduct of credible, free, and fair elections throughout his tenure, noting that his stewardship contributed significantly to strengthening the electoral process in Nigeria.“
In recognition of his meritorious service to the country, President Tinubu has conferred on Professor Mahmood Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON),” Onanuga said.
The President also directed Professor Yakubu to hand over the affairs of the commission to the most senior National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the commission’s activities pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve Nigeria, describing his tenure as “a period of learning, growth, and dedication to democratic values.”
