The origin of Electoral Bodies in Nigeria can be traced back to the period before independence when the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was established for the 1959 elections. Over the years, this body has been dissolved and replaced. Here’s an overview below:

• Electoral Commission of Nigeria: Established in 1959.
• Federal Electoral Commission (FEC): Established in 1960, dissolved in 1966
• Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO): Established in 1978. 
• National Electoral Commission (NEC): Dissolved in 1993
• National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON): Established in 1995, dissolved in 1998.
• Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): Established in 1998.

A chairman usually heads the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alongside 12 national commissioners. The first INEC chairman was Ephraim Akpata (appointed in 1998) while the current chairman of INEC is Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The INEC chairman leads the commission and manages the entire electoral process in Nigeria, from voter registration to announcing election results. This article lists the INEC chairmen in Nigeria from 1960 through 1998 till date, detailing their tenure and accomplishments.

Abdulbasit Toriola

Abdulbasit Toriola is a versatile freelance writer. On this blog, he writes keenly about Nigeria and Nigerians who are breaking the odds. You can connect with him via any of the links below.