Mahmood Yakubu

Mahmood Yakubu (born 1962) is a Nigerian academic who served as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2015 to 2025. He was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21 October 2015, succeeding acting chairman, Amina Zakari.

Early life and education Yakubu was born in Bauchi State, Nigeria. He completed his primary and secondary school education at Kobi Primary School and Government Teachers College, Toro, respectively. He proceeded to the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University), where he obtained a first-class degree in history. He had his master's degree in international relations in 1987 from Wolfson College, Cambridge, and doctorate degree in Nigerian history from the University of Oxford in 1991. Yakubu was the recipient of the Overseas Research Scholarship, and he also won the Commonwealth Scholarship from the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Prior to his appointment as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu was appointed as the executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund in 2007 by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. Yakubu also served as assistant secretary of finance and administration at the 2014 National Conference.

Works Crisis and conflict management in Nigeria since 1980 (2005). Nigerian Defence Academy Western Education in Northern Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies (1996). National Gamji Memorial Club Emirs and politicians: reform, reaction and recrimination in Northern Nigeria, 1950-1966 (2006). Baraka