Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu has been appointed as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the commencement of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s terminal leave on 7 October 2025.
A seasoned legal practitioner, Agbamuche has served as an INEC National Commissioner since 2022 and now assumes the leadership role as the most senior commissioner in the commission. She will oversee the commission’s affairs until a substantive chairman is appointed by the President.
A native of Delta State, Agbamuche earned her LLB in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984. She went on to the College of Law, London, where she qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1985. She also holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, London.
Her legal career spans more than 30 years, covering both public and private sectors. Before joining INEC, she served on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee between 2010 and 2011, where she contributed to national development and governance reforms.
During her time at INEC, Agbamuche has made notable contributions to Nigeria’s electoral process. She chaired the Legal Services, Clearance, and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC) and played an active role in capacity-building programmes for political party officials. She also oversaw key electoral activities, including the presentation of voter registers to political parties.
As Acting INEC Chairman, Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu will guide the commission through this transitional phase, ensuring continuity and upholding INEC’s commitment to credible elections in Nigeria.
