Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Officially Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar

Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Officially Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has officially assumed office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar, marking the beginning of his diplomatic service in the Gulf state.

Yakubu arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where he was formally received by senior officials of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African diplomats based in the country, and members of the Nigerian community.

At Hamad International Airport, he was welcomed by Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in line with standard diplomatic reception procedures for newly arrived envoys.

His arrival attracted notable diplomatic attention, with about 13 African ambassadors and heads of mission present in Doha to receive him, reflecting his standing within Africa’s diplomatic community.

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The reception was led by Ambassador Thierno Sow of Guinea, who serves as President of the Bureau of the African Group of Ambassadors to Qatar. Diplomats from countries including Algeria, Burundi, Morocco, Tanzania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, Togo, Benin, and the Central African Republic were also present.

Other dignitaries at the reception included the Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, alongside leaders of the Nigerian diaspora community in Qatar, including the President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Qatar, Michael Ihekwaba.

Yakubu exchanged greetings with several diplomats during the reception, including envoys from Mali, Senegal, and Tanzania, before proceeding to the Nigerian Embassy in Doha.

At the embassy, he met with diplomatic staff and officials as part of formal procedures marking his assumption of duties as Nigeria’s envoy to Qatar.

His appointment comes after years of service as INEC Chairman, where he oversaw major electoral cycles in Nigeria. He is now expected to focus on strengthening Nigeria–Qatar diplomatic relations, including cooperation in governance, trade, investment, and diaspora engagement.

Ex-INEC Chairman Yakubu Officially Assumes Office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Qatar