After a decade of leading Nigeria’s electoral management body through some of the country’s most complex democratic transitions, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially stepped down as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The outgoing chairman handed over to National Commissioner Mrs. Mayor Abu, who will serve in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive head of the commission.
The formal handover ceremony, held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, brought together national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners (RECs), senior staff, and members of the press. It was marked by reflections on a decade of institutional reforms, technological innovations, and the challenges of conducting elections in Africa’s most populous democracy.
Speaking during his farewell address, Professor Yakubu highlighted the commission’s ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which began seven weeks ago and has already attracted 6.8 million online pre-registrations and 1.2 million physical completions. He said the exercise will continue until August 2026, when it will be suspended in line with the law—90 days before the 2027 general elections.
“We have made tremendous progress, but a lot more needs to be done,” he said. “Knowing the enormity of the challenges ahead, and having been privileged to serve the commission for 10 years, I have taken the decision to step down and hand over as provided by the Constitution.”
Yakubu outlined the commission’s roadmap for upcoming elections, including the Anambra Governorship Election in November 2025, the FCT Area Council polls in February 2026, the Ekiti Governorship Election in June 2026, and the Osun Governorship Election in August 2026. Preparations, he said, are already underway for the 2027 general elections.
The outgoing INEC boss reflected on achievements under his tenure, including the consolidation of the biometric voter register, automation of key electoral processes, and deployment of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He also credited the commission’s Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), innovations in political party monitoring, and improved frameworks for managing internally displaced persons (IDP) voting.
Yakubu expressed appreciation to stakeholders—including members of the National Assembly, political parties, the National Peace Committee, security agencies, the media, and development partners—for their collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process. He particularly praised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for their “patriotism, knowledge, and reliability” during elections.
Two new publications documenting INEC’s work under his leadership were unveiled at the event. The first, titled Election Management in Nigeria 2015–2025, is a comprehensive record of the commission’s activities over the past decade. The second, Innovations in Electoral Technology 2015–2025, focuses on the digital transformation of election management.
In her acceptance remarks, Acting Chairman Mrs. Mayor Abu thanked Professor Yakubu for his leadership and pledged to sustain the standards he established. “We assure you that the commission will do our very best to maintain and uphold the standards you have set,” she said. “We will continue from where you stopped and work in unity with all commissioners and staff to ensure the continued success and growth of INEC.”
Other senior officials praised Yakubu’s tenure for introducing integrity-driven reforms, streamlining election logistics, and reinforcing staff welfare. They described him as a visionary leader whose “relentless pursuit of excellence” transformed INEC into one of Africa’s most technologically advanced election bodies.
“Your leadership held this country together when it seemed that it would crumble,” one director remarked. “You ensured that elections were conducted even in the face of crises, and for that, history will be kind to you.”
Yakubu, visibly emotional as he signed his official handover notes, expressed gratitude to his family and to Nigerians for their support and criticisms, which he said encouraged him to persevere.
The event concluded with a symbolic presentation of handover documents to Mrs. Abu and a farewell photograph session involving national and resident electoral commissioners.
Professor Yakubu’s tenure, which began in 2015, oversaw two general elections, multiple off-cycle governorship polls, and the most extensive electoral technology reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.
