Professor Mahmood Yakubu has officially stepped down as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), handing over leadership to May Agbamuche, who assumes office as Acting National Chairman.
Agbamuche, the most senior National Commissioner in the commission, was announced by Yakubu on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu appealed to directors and commissioners to extend their full cooperation to Agbamuche until a substantive chairman is appointed.
May Agbamuche-Mbu, a veteran legal practitioner with more than 30 years of experience, becomes the first woman in recent history to occupy the role in acting capacity. Born in Kano but originally from Delta State, she brings a rich blend of northern and southern roots to her public service career.
Her professional background includes an LLB from the University of Ife in 1984, qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales, and advanced degrees in Commercial and Corporate Law, International Business Law, and International Dispute Resolution.
Before joining INEC in 2017, Agbamuche worked extensively in legal practice, led the Lagos-based firm Norfolk Partners, and contributed to several government initiatives, including the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (2010–2011) and the Solid Minerals Sector Roadmap (2016). She also served as editor of THISDAY LAWYER, shaping national debates on legal matters.
She is a certified arbitrator, a former secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria), and the author of over 120 “Legal Eagle” editorials that gained wide readership.
While details of her private life remain outside public view, her professional record and advocacy in governance and legal reform have established her as a respected voice in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Agbamuche’s assumption of office is seen as a crucial transition moment for INEC, as the commission prepares for future elections and works to strengthen credibility in Nigeria’s democratic system.
