Nigeria’s former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Qatar, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has formally assumed duty, with thirteen other countries welcoming his arrival in Doha.
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, Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro.
He was also joined by 13 African Ambassadors; the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, Dr Philip Mshelbila, and the President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, Qatar, Michael Ndukaihe Ihekwaba, according to the Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim.
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.
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