Prof. Yakubu Says Technology, Service Excellence remain INEC’s Watch Word
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has declared that technology and service excellence will remain at the heart of its operations, ensuring that every Nigerian’s experience with the electoral body is seamless, transparent, and dignified.
Yakubu, made the declaration on Monday, October 6, during the commemoration of the 2025 edition of the ‘Global Customer Service Week’ at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
This year themed of the annual Global Customer Service Week is “Mission Possible.”
INEC boss described excellent customer service as the backbone of democratic trust, stressing that for a sensitive institution like INEC, citizen experience is not just a courtesy, it’s a constitutional duty.
“Customer service in the public sector is not a luxury but a duty,” Yakubu stated firmly. “INEC will continue to build systems that make every Nigerian’s interaction with us smooth, respectful, and rewarding.”
The Commission’s celebration centered on the “5 Rs of Customer Service” Respect, Responsiveness, Responsibility, Resolution, and Relationship with awards presented to staff who have shown innovation and dedication to voter engagement and service excellence.
Earlier, Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, Head of Operations at SERVICOM (Presidency), lauded INEC for setting the pace for other public institutions.
“This is the first customer service event for MDAs this year, and INEC has raised the bar,” Akinbodewa declared. “Service excellence is turning the impossible into possible and INEC has proven that through technology, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.”
She said this year’s theme, “Mission Possible,” aptly captures INEC’s drive to turn electoral challenges into innovations that benefit the people from improved voter access to real-time result transmission.
“One day soon, Nigerians will see election results transmitted live, that’s our definition of Mission Possible,” she announced, sparking cheers from the audience.
Akinbodewa also highlighted the symbolism of the week’s colors, teal (patience), white (transparency), and red (passion) values, she said, define INEC’s new identity as a citizen-first institution.
In his closing remarks, Professor Yakubu applauded the Commission’s staff for their dedication to service excellence, vowing to sustain reforms that make Nigeria’s electoral process more transparent, efficient, and voter-friendly.
“We will not relent in our efforts to make the electoral process more transparent and citizen-focused,” he said. “Every Nigerian deserves respect, trust, and excellence in their interaction with INEC.”
Meanwhile, Professor Yakubu was honoured with a leadership award for his visionary transformation of INEC into a technology-driven powerhouse, one redefining democratic service delivery across Africa.
