President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, flagged off the construction of the new national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the President declared the project as a symbol of democratic resilience and institutional dignity.
This comes as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, promised that the project would be completed before the expiration of the first term of the President in 2027.
The new annex, being constructed by the Federal Capital Development Authority, is based on a building concept submitted by INEC’s technical department.
It will include offices, meeting and conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and dedicated areas for IT infrastructure, such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre.
It will also house a museum to archive Nigeria’s electoral history and support civic education.
Addressing guests, Tinubu said beyond the physical construction, the project signified the strength of Nigeria’s democracy and “the future of our electoral integrity.”
The President said the ceremony was not about bricks and mortar, but rather about the strength of democracy and the independence of institutions.
“Today’s ceremony is not merely about bricks and mortar. It is about the strength of our democracy, the independence of our institutions, and the future of our electoral integrity.
“INEC has been and remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey. Its role in conducting free, fair, and credible elections is central to the trust our people place in their government and our democratic processes.
“For this reason, it is only right that such a pivotal institution is housed in a structure that reflects its dignity, responsibility, and national significance,” he said.
Tinubu stated that the new headquarters reflected his administration’s position on INEC’s autonomy and importance, adding that the continuous development of Nigerian democracy also required institutional development.
“This new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC’s autonomy, capacity, and growth.
“It will provide not just a home, but a hub for innovation, planning, training, and transparency in electoral administration.
“Our democracy is still evolving, and as it grows, so too must the institutions that support and protect it.
“We are committed to ensuring that INEC is fully equipped — not only in infrastructure, but in law, policy, and resources — to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness, and excellence,” the President said.
He commended Wike for initiating the project, while also praising past and present INEC leaders for their contributions in difficult circumstances.
“Let me also take this moment to commend the leadership and staff of INEC — past and present — for their dedication in the face of challenges.
“As we break ground today, we also lay a stronger foundation for democratic resilience in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He urged Nigerians to remember that Democracy was a journey and not a destination.
“Together, let us strengthen our institutions, safeguard our freedoms, and protect the future,” he added.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the current headquarters, inaugurated in 1997, was originally designed for eight commission members, 10 departments, and 500 staff.
He said the commission currently has 13 full-time members, 22 departments, and a staff strength of 1,048.
“For a long time, the commission has been grappling with inadequate office accommodation.
“Our present national headquarters is severely congested. Commissioned in December 1997, it was originally planned to cater for eight commission members (a chairman and seven full-time national commissioners), 10 departments/directorates and 500 staff members.
“Since then, the activities of the commission have become more extensive and the staff strength at the headquarters has more than doubled.
“Today, there are 13 full-time commission members (a chairman and 12 national commissioners), 22 Departments/Directorates and 1,048 staff.
“Consequently, every facility is overstretched from offices to meeting rooms for the commission’s 15 standing committees and other activities, including regular engagements with stakeholders,” he said.
Prof Yakubu said due to space constraints, the commission rented two additional buildings which were still inadequate.
He noted that efforts to secure a permanent solution had been ongoing for 10 years before the FCT intervened in 2024 to support the project.
Yakubu acknowledged this was the third time since 1991 that the FCDA had provided office accommodation to the commission.
“Over the last 10 years, we made every effort to alleviate the situation until sometime last year when the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory came to the rescue.
“I wish to make it clear that this is not the first time that the Federal Capital Development Authority has constructed an office for the electoral commission.
“When the commission relocated its headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, it was the FCDA that provided it with offices in Garki to accommodate the national headquarters as well as the FCT office.
“When the facility became overstretched, the FCDA again built our present headquarters.
“The building in Garki now operates exclusively as our FCT office. In fact, today’s groundbreaking event is the third time in the last 34 years that the FCDA, in the discharge of its responsibilities, is stepping in to either provide office accommodation or alleviate the commission’s space constraint,” the chairman noted.
He clarified that the main building opposite the present site would remain the national headquarters of the commission, adding that when completed, the new building would complement the main building.
He expressed appreciation to the President and the FCT minister for pursuing the project.
Wike noted that the project was awarded by the Federal Executive Council in 2024 and assured the President that the project would be completed before the expiration of his first term in office.
“I want to assure you that this structure will be given all the time that is required to see that during your first tenure, this project is completed.
“You can be assured that we’ll do that, and with the kind of support you’ve given to us, we’ll make sure that the contractor delivers,” Wike said.
The FCT minister insisted that it was not the first time the FCDA would construct an INEC office, as emphasised by the INEC chairman.
“I thank the [INEC] Chairman for explaining, and for letting the world know that it is through the FCDA that public buildings are renovated or built.
“And he has stated here that this is not the first time. When INEC headquarters was relocated to Abuja, it was FCDA.
“It is good that he says that because so many people will begin to say all kinds of things. So it’s good that he explained that,” he said.(Punch)
