President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new annex building at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, signaling a significant effort to address the Commission’s long-standing space constraints.
The ceremony was announced via INEC’s official Facebook page, which also shared photographs and remarks from dignitaries in attendance.
Speaking during the occasion, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu described the project as a long-overdue development that will greatly enhance the Commission’s capacity to manage Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“We are glad that the President found time to personally perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the INEC annex building. For a long time, the Commission has faced serious challenges with space,” Yakubu stated.
According to the INEC Chairman, the current headquarters, commissioned in December 1997, was designed to house eight commissioners, 10 departments, and about 500 staff members. However, the Commission’s operations have expanded significantly since then, putting a strain on existing facilities.
“Every part of the building is now overstretched — offices, meeting rooms, and spaces for important engagements. We even hold general staff meetings outside the office,” he noted.
To cope with this overflow, INEC currently rents additional office space in Wuse 2, Abuja.
Professor Yakubu also appreciated the support of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), recalling how the agency provided temporary office spaces during INEC’s relocation from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, and later built the present headquarters.
Features of the New INEC Annex
The planned annex will include:
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Modern office spaces
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Large meeting and conference rooms
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A 1,000-seat auditorium
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State-of-the-art IT infrastructure
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An election monitoring and support centre
“This is a very special moment for me personally. After nearly 10 years of planning and efforts, the project is finally becoming a reality,” Yakubu remarked.
The project is expected to improve INEC’s operational efficiency and boost its capacity to manage the country’s growing electoral demands.
