Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the newly appointed Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is one of Nigeria’s most experienced election administrators and legal professionals, with over three decades of distinguished service in law, governance, and public policy.
Born in Kano State but originally from Delta State, Agbamuche-Mbu’s journey reflects a blend of academic excellence, professional integrity, and public service dedication. She attended St. Louis Secondary School, Kano, where her passion for law and justice began to take shape.
She obtained her LLB in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year, in 1985. Determined to expand her horizons, she proceeded to the United Kingdom, where she qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales after attending the College of Law, London.
DON'T MISS
Agbamuche-Mbu further earned an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, and also completed postgraduate programmes in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.
A seasoned legal practitioner with over 30 years of experience, she has provided advisory services to clients across both private and public sectors. Her professional focus includes Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and she is a respected member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK-Nigeria Branch), where she once served as Secretary.
Outside courtroom advocacy, Agbamuche-Mbu made her mark in legal journalism as the editor of THISDAY Lawyer, a prominent weekly legal supplement. She was known for her insightful column, Legal Eagle, where she regularly analyzed judicial trends and governance issues.
Her transition into public service began with her appointment to the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC) between 2010 and 2011, where she served as the sole solicitor responsible for reviewing key federal projects across Nigeria. In 2016, she was appointed to a Ministerial Committee that developed the Road Map for the Solid Minerals Sector, a blueprint that contributed to reform efforts in that industry.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a National Commissioner representing the South-South Zone, overseeing electoral activities in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Edo States. She was first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 and reappointed in 2022, making her one of the longest-serving members of the Commission.
Following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s ten-year tenure as INEC Chairman, Agbamuche-Mbu, being the oldest serving National Commissioner, was designated as Acting National Chairman. The handover took place during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at INEC headquarters in Abuja, where Yakubu urged staff to extend full support to her leadership pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Highly regarded for her commitment to institutional integrity, legal scholarship, and electoral transparency, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu represents a steady hand at the helm of INEC during this transitional period. Her wealth of experience in law, governance, and administration is expected to guide the Commission as it prepares for future electoral reforms and engagements.
![Nigerians play politics of power – New INEC Chairman Amupitan’s old interview resurfaces [VIDEO]](https://informationhub.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Joash-Ojo-Amupitan-330x220.jpg "Nigerians play politics of power – New INEC Chairman Amupitan’s old interview resurfaces [VIDEO]")
