President Tinubu Launches Groundbreaking New INEC Headquarters Annex In Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today, 17 June 2025, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new annex building of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, a significant milestone in addressing the commission’s chronic office space constraints.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the FCT Minister, and leaders of various political parties, marks a pivotal step towards modernising INEC’s infrastructure. In his address, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for personally leading the event, underscoring its importance to the commission’s operations.
“For years, INEC has grappled with severe space limitations at our current headquarters, which was designed in 1997 for a much smaller workforce,” Prof. Yakubu said. “We are immensely grateful to the President for making this project a reality.”
The existing INEC headquarters, inaugurated in December 1997, was built to accommodate eight commission members, 10 departments, and approximately 500 staff. However, the commission has since expanded significantly, now comprising 13 full-time members, 22 departments, and over 1,000 staff. This growth has stretched the facility beyond capacity, with offices, meeting rooms, and even general staff meetings held outdoors due to space constraints.
To alleviate these challenges, INEC has been forced to rent two additional buildings in Wuse 2. However, Prof. Yakubu noted that a permanent solution became possible last year with support from the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The FCDA previously assisted INEC by providing office space in Garki in 1991 when the commission relocated from Lagos to Abuja and later constructing the current headquarters.
The new annex, which will complement rather than replace the existing headquarters, is set to feature modern offices, meeting and conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and advanced IT facilities, including an election monitoring and support centre. Additionally, it will house a museum to preserve Nigeria’s electoral history in both digital and physical formats, serving as an educational resource for students and visitors.
“This is a momentous occasion for INEC and for me personally,” Prof. Yakubu remarked. “After nearly a decade of effort, this project is finally underway. The new annex will significantly enhance our working environment and our ability to serve Nigerians effectively.”
The INEC Chairman extended his appreciation to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, the FCDA, political party leaders, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support. He concluded, “May God continue to bless our collective efforts.”
The new headquarters annex is expected to bolster INEC’s capacity to manage elections efficiently, ensuring a more conducive environment for staff and stakeholders as the commission continues its critical role in Nigeria’s democratic process.
