UPDATED: Tinubu accepts INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu’s exit, confers Nigeria’s highest honour on him

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from his role as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the conclusion of his constitutionally allowed two-term tenure.

Appointed first in November 2015, Professor Yakubu served as the 14th head of Nigeria’s electoral commission.

His initial five-year term was renewed in 2020, culminating in a decade-long leadership marked by landmark general elections and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions across the country.

In a statement issued by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.

> “President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.”

As a mark of national gratitude, the President has conferred on Yakubu one of Nigeria’s highest honours—Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

To ensure a smooth transition, President Tinubu has directed Professor Yakubu to hand over the reins of the commission to May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior national commissioner at INEC.

She is expected to lead the commission in an acting capacity while the process to appoint a substantive chairman is underway.

Agbamuche-Mbu, a lawyer and former commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission, has served in INEC’s top hierarchy since 2016 and brings considerable legal and administrative experience to her new interim role.

In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu personally thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in such a pivotal national role.