…Commissions new INEC annex office in Abuja
…INEC chairman laments overcrowded headquarters, hails FCTA intervention
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has affirmed the pivotal role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, as he officially inaugurated the construction of a new INEC Annex Office in Abuja on Tuesday.
During the ground-breaking ceremony, President Tinubu stated that the new office complex represents his administration’s unwavering dedication to advancing democratic governance, ensuring institutional autonomy, and safeguarding electoral integrity.
He noted that the new facility is intended not only to support INEC’s administrative functions but also to serve as a centre for innovation, training, planning, and transparency in the nation’s electoral management system.
“INEC is central to fostering public confidence by conducting free, fair, and credible elections. It must therefore operate from a facility that reflects the scale and significance of its responsibilities,” Tinubu said.
The President reiterated his government’s readiness to provide the legal, infrastructural, and financial support necessary for INEC to fulfil its constitutional duties with professionalism and impartiality.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for initiating the project, calling it a strategic step towards reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic framework. He remarked that democracy is not a final destination but a continuous journey that relies on robust institutions and collective vigilance.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, spoke on the long-standing challenges faced by the commission due to overcrowding at its current headquarters. He explained that the building, commissioned in 1997, was originally designed for a smaller commission and now struggles to accommodate 13 commissioners, 22 departments, and over 1,000 staff — more than double its intended capacity.
According to Yakubu, the lack of space had compelled INEC to lease offices elsewhere in Wuse Zone II and conduct large staff meetings offsite. Despite internal efforts to manage the problem, he said, substantial intervention only came in the past year through the FCT administration.
He clarified that the involvement of the FCTA does not compromise INEC’s independence, noting that this marks the third time in 34 years the FCT administration has provided infrastructure for the electoral body, starting from INEC’s relocation to Abuja in 1991.
Professor Yakubu also announced that the new annex would feature a permanent museum dedicated to Nigeria’s electoral history, offering a valuable resource for students, researchers, and the public interested in the evolution of elections in the country. He noted that the current headquarters would continue to function as INEC’s main operational base.
In his address, FCT Minister Mr Nyesom Wike stated that the project received Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval in March 2025 and is being managed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as part of broader efforts to improve public infrastructure.
Wike gave assurances that the project would be completed within the lifespan of the current administration, pledging strict attention to speed and construction standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Mr Richard Dauda, revealed that the new annex will be located on Plot 442, Maitama District, Zambezi Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Way, and will span 1.5 hectares.
The five-storey building will feature basement parking, a media centre, a library, a museum, multiple conference rooms, and offices for INEC’s management and strategic departments. It will also house a 1,000-seat auditorium spread over three levels, a central security control room, and other support facilities designed to meet the commission’s growing operational demands.