Following the resignation of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu has stepped in as the new Acting Chairman.
Yakubu, who served as INEC boss since 2015, announced his decision on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, marking the end of a decade characterised by major electoral reforms, digital innovations, and efforts to modernise Nigeria's voting process.
Citing Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, Yakubu explained that his resignation was aimed at ensuring a smooth leadership transition ahead of a busy electoral calendar. By consensus of the National Commissioners, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior member of the Commission, was appointed Acting Chairman, pending the confirmation of a substantive head.
As she assumes this crucial role, here are ten key facts about May Agbamuche-Mbu:
May Agbamuche-Mbu has a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, providing legal counsel across public and private sectors in Nigeria and internationally.
Although her ancestry is in Delta State, May was born and raised in Kano, where she attended St. Louis Secondary School, a prestigious institution known for producing accomplished Nigerian women.
She earned her LLB in Law in 1984 from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), one of Nigeria's leading law schools.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, May later became a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, reflecting her international legal credentials.
She holds an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, along with postgraduate degrees in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, she has served as Secretary and is recognised for her expertise in mediation and arbitration.
May contributed to the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (2010-2011) and the Ministerial Committee on Nigeria's Solid Minerals Sector (2016), bringing legal expertise to national development projects.
She was the Managing Partner of Norfolk Partners, Lagos, where she provided corporate legal services and mentored young lawyers.
May served as Editor of THISDAY LAWYER and authored the "LEGAL EAGLE" column from 2014 to 2016, publishing over 120 editorials influencing public policy and legal discourse.
As a long-serving INEC National Commissioner, her appointment reflects intellect, integrity, and commitment to transparency, reinforcing Nigeria's democratic institutions.
Naija247news observes that May Agbamuche-Mbu's appointment comes at a critical moment for Nigeria's democracy. With general elections approaching, her experience in law, dispute resolution, and electoral oversight positions her to maintain institutional credibility, transparency, and public trust in the electoral process.