President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday flagged off the construction of a new National Headquarters Annex of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The President described the project as a crucial investment in Nigeria’s democratic future.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held in Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the President said that the new facility would not only serve as a physical structure but also as a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to electoral integrity, institutional independence, and democratic resilience.

The event was attended by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud; INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and members of political parties and civil society organisations.

The President noted that INEC has remained the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey and deserves a befitting environment that reflects the weight of its constitutional responsibilities.

The President said: “Today’s ceremony is not merely about brick 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 roles our people play in their government and in our democratic process. For this reason, it is only right that such a pivotal institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility, and national significance of that institution. The new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC’s autonomy, capacity, and growth.

“It will provide not just a conducive home, but a hub for innovation, planning, training, and transparency in electoral administration. Our democracy is still evolving, and as it is growing, 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.”

President Tinubu commended Wike for his role in initiating the project, noting that it is another important step toward protecting Nigeria’s democracy.

The President also acknowledged the efforts of the leadership and staff of INEC, noting their courage in laying a stronger foundation for credible elections in Nigeria despite numerous challenges.

Speaking, Wike clarified that contrary to insinuation, the project was not approved solely by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

He stated that the construction of the new INEC edifice was among numerous projects related to the construction and rehabilitation of public institutions, which were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in March 2025.

Wike assured the President that the project would be completed before the end of his first tenure in 2027.

Earlier, INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President and the FCT authorities for the new edifice.

He said the development was a culmination of nearly a decade of persistent advocacy aimed at resolving the commission’s office space constraints.

Yakubu revealed that the current INEC headquarters, commissioned in 1997, was designed to accommodate just eight commission members, 10 departments, and 500 staff.

He, however, disclosed that the commission has grown to 13 members, 22 departments, and over 1,000 staff, adding that this has stretched existing infrastructure beyond its limits.

The INEC chairman clarified that the new facility will include not only offices and conference rooms but also a 1,000-seat auditorium, a museum of electoral history, and operational spaces for IT-based facilities, such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

Yakubu said the moment was special because, according to him, this was the third time in 34 years that the FCDA was stepping in to support INEC’s infrastructural needs, starting from the commission’s move from Lagos to Abuja in 1991.

He added: “As the end user of the facility, our technical department submitted the concept of the proposed building, which is what the FCT is currently executing. We made provision for offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium and offices for some of our IT-based facilities such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

“Beyond these facilities, the building plan has provision for a museum to serve as a repository for the physical and digital history of elections and electoral activities in Nigeria. This will afford citizens, particularly students, who regularly visit the commission on excursion, the opportunity to appreciate the evolution of our electoral history, as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.

“The main building opposite the present site shall remain the national headquarters of the commission. When completed, the new building will complement the main building. For me personally, this is a special occasion. After almost 10 years of persistent effort, the construction of the INEC Annex Building is finally a reality.”