INEC Chairman Biography, Tenure, Acting Chairmen, List from 1999 till Date & Acting Chairmen News

Is Yakubu INEC Chairman Still Alive?

Yes. Professor Mahmood Yakubu is alive and actively performing his duties as of the latest updates in 2025. Despite several controversies surrounding his tenure, including criticisms over the handling of the 2019 and 2023 general elections, he remains in office pending the expiration of his term or any official directive from the President and the National Assembly.

INEC Chairman Tenure

Under the Nigerian Constitution, the INEC Chairman serves a renewable five-year term. An individual can serve for a maximum of two terms (10 years) if reappointed and confirmed by the Senate. This provision is designed to ensure continuity while preventing excessive concentration of power in one individual.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu was first appointed on October 21, 2015, by President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding acting chairperson Amina Zakari. He was reappointed for a second term in October 2020 after his first tenure ended, making him the first INEC Chairman to serve two full terms since the commission’s establishment.

Acting INEC Chairman

The position of Acting INEC Chairman arises when the substantive chairman vacates office or is unable to perform his duties. For example, Amina Zakari briefly served as the Acting INEC Chairman in 2015 after Professor Attahiru Jega left office and before Mahmood Yakubu was appointed. Acting chairmen usually oversee day-to-day operations until the President nominates a substantive chairman who is then confirmed by the Senate.

When Will INEC Chairman Tenure End?

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s second tenure as INEC Chairman is set to end in December 2025, marking the completion of his 10-year stay at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body. His departure has already triggered speculation and debate about who will succeed him and how the new leadership will shape the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

New INEC Chairman in Nigeria

The appointment of a new INEC Chairman follows a constitutional process. The President nominates a candidate after consulting the Council of State and then submits the name to the Senate for confirmation. While this process is outlined in the Constitution, it has often drawn criticism for being politically influenced, as the President typically chairs the Council of State and controls the majority in the Senate.

As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding the name of the next INEC Chairman. However, political analysts and civil society organisations are calling for the appointment of a credible, non-partisan figure who can restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

INEC Chairman from 1999 Till Date

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the following individuals have served as INEC Chairmen:

• Justice Ephraim Akpata (1998 – 2000)
• Dr. Abel Guobadia (2000 – 2005)
• Professor Maurice Iwu (2005 – 2010)
• Professor Attahiru Jega (2010 – 2015)
• Amina Zakari (Acting, 2015)
• Professor Mahmood Yakubu (2015 – Present)

This list shows the evolution of INEC’s leadership over the years, with each chairman leaving a distinct imprint on Nigeria’s democratic process.

Who Is the Current INEC Chairman?

The current INEC Chairman is Professor Mahmood Yakubu. He remains the head of Nigeria’s electoral body as of 2025. His tenure is significant not only for its length but also for the introduction of major electoral technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both aimed at increasing transparency in elections.

Despite these reforms, Yakubu’s leadership has been marred by criticisms over logistics, delayed results, and alleged irregularities, especially during the 2023 general elections. Nonetheless, he continues to oversee the commission until the end of his term.

Latest News on INEC Chairman

The latest developments surrounding the INEC Chairman include speculations about his early exit from office and the nomination of a successor by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Reports suggest that internal and external political pressures may influence the appointment of the next chairman as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.

Several civil society groups and opposition parties have urged the President to appoint an independent and credible individual to head the electoral body. They argue that only a neutral and transparent leadership can restore public trust and ensure credible polls in the coming years.

Conclusion: The Future of INEC Leadership

The position of the INEC Chairman is one of the most important roles in Nigeria’s democracy. From Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s ongoing tenure to the expected appointment of a new chairman in December 2025, the stakes for Nigeria’s electoral integrity have never been higher. The new leadership will not only influence the conduct of the 2027 elections but also determine how Nigerians and the world perceive the fairness of the country’s democratic process.

As debates about who will succeed Yakubu intensify, Nigerians must remain vigilant, demanding transparency and accountability from both the government and INEC itself. The credibility of elections—and by extension, the legitimacy of government—rests on the independence and integrity of those who manage the electoral process.