Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has formally assumed duties as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar.
Yakubu arrived in Doha on Wednesday, June 18, 2026, where he was warmly received at the airport by Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside 13 African ambassadors and members of the Nigerian diaspora community.
In a statement issued by Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the arrival marks the beginning of Ambassador Yakubu’s diplomatic mission to strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Qatar, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy, education, and cultural cooperation.
A distinguished academic and seasoned administrator, Professor Yakubu served as INEC Chairman from November 2015 to October 2025, overseeing significant electoral reforms and the conduct of multiple general elections in Nigeria. Born in 1962 in Bauchi State, he holds a first-class degree in History from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, and a Doctorate in Nigerian History from the University of Oxford.
His appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent confirmation by the Nigerian Senate reflects the administration’s confidence in his proven leadership, integrity, and strategic vision to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives in the Gulf region.
Upon assuming office, Ambassador Yakubu expressed his commitment to deepening the strong bonds of friendship between Nigeria and Qatar, describing the warm reception as a clear indication of the mutual respect and shared aspirations between the two nations.