The Profile: May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Woman Tasked with Leading INEC

May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Woman Tasked with Leading INEC.

A new chapter has begun for Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu steps into the role of Acting Chairman. Her appointment follows the conclusion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Professor Yakubu, who led the commission for a decade since 2015, announced the transition, invoking Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure a smooth handover. The most senior National Commissioner, Agbamuche-Mbu, was appointed by consensus to guide the crucial institution into the next electoral cycle.

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But who is the woman now shouldering the immense responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy?

A legal practitioner with a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Agbamuche-Mbu brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. While she hails from Delta State, she was raised in the northern city of Kano, giving her a unique cross-cultural perspective within the nation.

Her academic foundation was laid at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, where she earned her LLB in 1984. Her legal prowess, however, extends far beyond Nigeria’s shores. She is one of a select group of Nigerian lawyers called to the Bar in both Nigeria (1985) and the United Kingdom, where she qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Her quest for knowledge saw her pursue an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, followed by other postgraduate degrees specializing in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.

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This formidable academic background firmly established her as an expert in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She has previously served as the Secretary for the Nigeria Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a role that honed her skills in mediation and fair process.

Her record of national service is equally impressive. From 2010 to 2011, she served as the sole solicitor on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC), a position that required a sharp legal mind to evaluate significant government initiatives.

Before her foray into the heart of Nigeria’s electoral system, Agbamuche-Mbu was the Managing Partner of her own law firm, Norfolk Partners, in Lagos. She also left a notable mark in legal journalism, having served as the Editor of THISDAY LAWYER and as the author of the influential “LEGAL EAGLE” column.

It is this rare blend of deep legal expertise, administrative experience, and a longstanding commitment to public service that positioned May Agbamuche-Mbu as the consensus choice to steer INEC during this critical transitional period. All eyes will now be on her as she takes the helm of one of Nigeria’s most vital institutions.