Tinubu Flags Off Construction Of New INEC Headquarters Annex In Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday performed the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new annex building at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, marking a major step toward resolving the commission’s long-standing space challenges.

The announcement was made via INEC’s official Facebook page, which shared photos and details of the event, including remarks from key stakeholders.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at the event, thanked the President for personally attending and launching the project, describing it as a milestone achievement for the electoral body.

“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 said.

He explained that the current INEC headquarters, commissioned in December 1997, was originally meant to accommodate eight commissioners, 10 departments, and around 500 staff members. “Every part of the building is now overstretched — from offices to meeting rooms. We even hold general staff meetings outside the office,” he noted.

To meet growing operational demands, the commission had resorted to renting additional office spaces in Wuse 2.

Yakubu also appreciated the support of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), recalling that the agency had provided INEC’s first office in Abuja in 1991 and later constructed the current headquarters building.

The new annex will feature modern offices, conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium, advanced IT infrastructure, and an election monitoring and support center.

“This is a very special moment for me personally. After nearly 10 years of trying, the project is finally taking off,” Yakubu added.