Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu, Nigeria’s First Female Acting INEC Chairman

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has entered a new chapter as May Agbamuche-Mbu becomes the first female Acting Chairman in the history of the electoral body. Her appointment follows the temporary handover of duties by Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The transition took place during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, where Professor Yakubu urged the commission’s leadership and staff to extend their full cooperation to Agbamuche-Mbu as she assumes responsibility pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

INEC, which has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic process since its establishment in 1998, has now recorded a milestone moment with this appointment, one that reflects both continuity and progress in gender representation within public institutions.

Who Is May Agbamuche-Mbu?

May Agbamuche-Mbu is a distinguished legal practitioner and public administrator with over three decades of professional experience spanning law, dispute resolution, and governance. Prior to her new role, she served as the longest-serving National Commissioner in INEC, where she contributed significantly to the commission’s legal, administrative, and policy frameworks.

Born in Kano State to parents from Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu’s upbringing reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity, a trait often noted in her balanced approach to leadership and decision-making.

Academically, she holds an LLB degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), obtained in 1984, and later qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales. Her academic pursuits include an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law, alongside postgraduate qualifications in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.

Beyond her academic and professional background, Agbamuche-Mbu has been widely recognized for her integrity, dedication, and commitment to institutional reforms within INEC. Her work has focused on improving electoral transparency, legal compliance, and voter confidence, areas that remain central to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.

As she takes on the leadership mantle, Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment is seen as both a historic and symbolic step for women in public service, highlighting the growing representation of women in key governance positions across the country.

Her leadership period, though in an acting capacity, is expected to sustain INEC’s operational stability and uphold the commission’s credibility as preparations for future electoral exercises continue.