Nigeria’s former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has formally assumed duty as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the State of Qatar.
Ambassador Yakubu arrived in Doha on Wednesday and was warmly received at the airport by the Director of the Protocol Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro. He was joined by 13 African Ambassadors, the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Dr Philip Mshelbila, and the President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar, Mr Michael Ndukaihe Ihekwaba.
Prof. Yakubu brings to his new diplomatic assignment a distinguished record of public service. As INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025, he oversaw major electoral reforms that strengthened Nigeria’s electoral process, improved the use of technology in elections, enhanced voter accreditation systems, and deepened public confidence in democratic institutions.
Widely respected for his commitment to transparency, professionalism, and democratic governance, Ambassador Yakubu played a pivotal role in the successful conduct of several national and off-cycle elections during his tenure.
His appointment to Qatar reflects the Federal Government’s confidence in his leadership, experience, and capacity to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and bilateral interests in one of the Middle East’s most strategic nations.
He is expected to further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Qatar, particularly in trade, investment, energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant (Media) to Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Thursday, 18 June, 2026
