Mahmood Yakubu
Mahmood Yakubu (born 1962) is a Nigerian academic and current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).[1] Subject to approval by the Council of State, Mahmood was appointed to office by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21 October 2015, succeeding Amina Zakari, who served as acting chairman.[2]
Mahmood Yakbu | |
---|---|
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission | |
Assumed office 21 October 2015 | |
Preceded by | Amina Zakari |
Personal details | |
Born | 1962 Bauchi State, Nigeria |
Alma mater | University of Sokoto Wolfson College, Cambridge University of Oxford Cambridge Commonwealth Trust |
Early life and education
Mahmood Yakubu was born in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria. He completed his basic and secondary school education at Kobi Primary School and Government Teachers College, Toro, respectively.[3][4] He proceeded to the University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University), where he became the first and, to date, only Nigerian from the North to obtain a first-class degree certificate in history.[5] At postgraduate level, he studied international relations at Wolfson College, Cambridge,[6] graduating with master's degree in 1987,[7] and Nigerian history at the University of Oxford, graduating with a doctorate in 1991.[3] The Bauchi State Government offered him a scholarship to study at both the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.[8] He went on to become a three-time recipient of the Overseas Research Scholarship, and also won the Commonwealth Scholarship from the Association of Commonwealth Universities.[3]
Career
Yakubu is a lecturer, guerrilla warfare expert, and Professor of Political History and International Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy.[9] Prior to his appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood served as the executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, being appointed to office in 2007 by then-President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.[10][11] During his tenure as secretary, a National Book Development Fund was established, supporting 102 journals of professional associations.[3]
Yakubu also served as Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration at the 2014 National Conference.[12] In 2013, he was awarded an honorary fellowship to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.[13]
On 7 January 2019, he released a new voting system for the 2019 general election.[14]
Works
- Mahmood Yakubu; Nigerian Defence Academy (2005). Crisis and conflict management in Nigeria since 1980. Nigerian Defence Academy. ISBN 978-978-135-140-2.
- Alhaji Mahmood Yakubu (1996). Western Education in Northern Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies. National Gamji Memorial Club. ISBN 978-978-32931-0-6.
- Mahmood Yakubu (2006). Emirs and politicians: reform, reaction and recrimination in Northern Nigeria, 1950-1966. Baraka. ISBN 978-978-32931-5-1.
References
- Nwabughiogu, Levinus (21 October 2015). "Breaking: Buhari appoints Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "Buhari appoints Yakubu new INEC chairman". Business Day. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "Top 13 Facts About The New INEC Chairman". Naij. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "The Chairman – Official Newspaper of the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria". Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- Ajasa, Olufemi (21 October 2015). "5 things to know about new INEC chairman, Yakubu". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- Akoni, Fela (January 2015). "President's Letter to Members" (PDF). Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria. Retrieved 15 March 2019. Cite magazine requires
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(help) - "The Chairman". Independent National Election Commission. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- Sulaiman, Adedeji (21 October 2015). "Meet Professor Mahmood Yakubu, 54, New INEC Boss". Daily Times of Nigeria. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- Mac-Leva, Fidelis (24 October 2015). "Professor Yakubu: Profile of Nigeria's new INEC chairman". Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- Sotubo, Jola (21 October 2015). "10 things you should know about new INEC Chairman". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- Ajagunna, Friday (21 October 2015). "Buhari appoints Prof. Mahmood Yakubu new INEC boss". New Mail (Nigeria). Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "Facts About Professor Mahmud Yakubu, the New INEC Chairman". Naija Verdict. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- "Facts about the new INEC Chairman". Tempo Online. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- Television, Oak (7 January 2019). "2019: INEC releases new voting method". OAK TV. Retrieved 8 January 2019.