Yakubu’s Tenure: A Legacy Defined by Promise, Missed in Nigeria’s Elections

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s decade-long tenure as Nigeria’s electoral chief has been marked by a complex legacy. Appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, he oversaw the implementation of a series of digital election reforms, but ultimately saw the promise of these innovations falter during the 2023 general elections. Yakubu’s tenure began with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in 2021, a pivotal step aiming to combat electoral malpractice and improve transparency.