List of INEC Chairmen in Nigeria from 1960 till Date (Updated)

Do you know who the names of the INEC chairman in Nigeria since the creation of the The Independent National Electoral Commission? See the full list below

INEC Chairmen in Nigeria from 1960 to Date

1. Eyo Esua (1964–1966)
   Firstly, he was a talented Nigerian teacher. Then he became trade unionist who was on the leading position of the Balewa government’s Federal Electoral Commission in the Nigerian First Republic. In 1964, Eyo Esua became the first chairman in the history of INEC or, if to be precise, FEDECO.

2. Michael Ani (1976–1979)
   There was a 10 years gap between the first chairman and when he was appointed, because the electoral body in Nigeria stopped its existence after the coup of 1966. Michael Ani is known as the second head of the Federal Electoral Commission. This committee itself was instituted by General Olusegun Obasanjo in order to monitor the poll process of the Nigerian Second Republic.

3. Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983)
   He became chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) selected by President Shehu Shagari during the Nigerian Second Republic.

4. Eme Awa (1987–1989)
   He became chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (also called NECON) under President Ibrahim Babangida.

5. Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993)
   He was also head of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) chosen by President Ibrahim Babangida.

6. Okon Uya (1993, June-November)
   Professor Okon Uya didn`t stay long as chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). President Ibrahim Babangida chose him after the presidential election on June 12, 1993, which was canceled, and his predecessor left the post.

7. Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998)
   Sumner Dagogo-Jack was chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) chosen by President Shehu Shagari. And he was the last chairman of NECON because, in 1998, INEC was set.

8. Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000)
   Ephraim Akpata is known as the first head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria. Ephraim Akpata was responsible for the elections in 1998-1999 that re-introduced democracy in May 1999.

9. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005)
   This ambassador and the retired public assistant was the second chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

10. Maurice Iwu (2005–2010)
    He was the third chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Maurice Iwu is also a Professor of Pharmacognosy.

11. Attahiru Jega (2010–2015)
    Many Nigerians know him also as an academic and the former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University.

12. Mahmood Yakubu (2015-2025)
    Mahmood Yakubu is an academic and the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He concluded his tenure after nearly 10 years in office he has now handed over to senior national commissioner.

13. Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) (2025-till date)
    He is a Professor of Law, nominated by President Tinubu to replace the former chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu in 2025

Now you know who is the current INEC chairman and names of his predecessors. In the history of the electoral body in Nigeria since its independence, there were 13 chairmen, since the creation of this content page.