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.
According to a State House press release signed October 7, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Professor Yakubu’s tenure officially came to an end after serving two terms as head of the electoral body.
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. His appointment was renewed in 2020, and “has now expired due to the passage of time,” the statement noted.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Professor Yakubu for his dedicated service to the nation and his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. He commended Yakubu’s “efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.”
INEC: Tinubu Honours Yakubu, Appoints Agbamuche-Mbu Acting Chair
In recognition of his service, President Tinubu has conferred on Professor Yakubu the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The President also directed that Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the affairs of the commission “until the completion of the process to appoint a successor.”
The statement further revealed that in a letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation as INEC Chairman since 2015.
“Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy),” signed the statement, dated October 7, 2025.
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