President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm two key nominations: Retired Admiral Jamila Abubakar (also referred to as Jemila Abubakar Marafa) as National Commissioner representing Adamawa State at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The requests were contained in separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The letters cited relevant constitutional and statutory provisions, urging the Senate to consider and confirm the nominees expeditiously.
For the INEC nomination, President Tinubu wrote: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate the appointment of Adm. Jamila Abubakar Sadiq (Rtd) as Commissioner representing Adamawa State at the Independent National Electoral Commission.” He enclosed the nominee’s curriculum vitae and expressed hope for swift legislative action.
Admiral Jamila Abubakar, a retired naval officer from Adamawa State, is nominated to fill a vacancy on the INEC board. INEC currently operates with a full complement of commissioners, but periodic replacements or additions occur to maintain regional representation and operational strength ahead of future elections, including off-cycle polls and preparations for 2027.
For NAHCON, the President nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned recently after about 14 months in office. The letter referenced Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which requires Senate confirmation for the Chairman/CEO position. Ambassador Yusuf, a seasoned diplomat, is expected to lead the commission in managing Nigeria’s annual Hajj operations, including pilgrim welfare, logistics, and coordination with Saudi authorities.
The nominations come amid ongoing efforts to strengthen key institutions. INEC’s board plays a critical role in electoral administration, while NAHCON oversees the welfare of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims each year—a process that has faced scrutiny over transparency, funding, and service delivery.
The Senate is expected to refer the nominations to relevant committees for screening and background checks before plenary confirmation. No immediate dates for the screening have been announced, but Senate leadership has indicated a commitment to expeditious handling in line with constitutional timelines.
These developments follow recent leadership changes at NAHCON and reflect President Tinubu’s administration’s focus on filling vacancies in critical agencies to ensure continuity and efficiency.
Stakeholders in the electoral and Hajj sectors have welcomed the moves, with calls for thorough vetting to ensure nominees possess the requisite integrity, experience, and independence for their roles.
As the Senate considers the requests, the confirmations—if granted—will bolster INEC’s capacity and provide fresh leadership at NAHCON ahead of the 2026 Hajj season and broader electoral preparations.
