By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has played host to a delegation from the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election (CECOE) at its Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, supported by the German Agency for International Development (GIZ), is part of an experience-sharing programme aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries’ electoral institutions and promoting best practices in election management across Africa.
Welcoming the visitors on monday, Prof. Yakubu, described the engagement as a unique opportunity for mutual learning and collaboration, noting that it was the first time the Commission would host a joint team from Ethiopia’s election management body and civil society coalition representing over 180 organizations.
He commended the delegation for its interest in understudying Nigeria’s electoral process and expressed INEC’s readiness to share knowledge, systems, and innovations that have shaped the conduct of elections in the country.
Prof. Yakubu noted that Nigeria and Ethiopia share many similarities as large, diverse, and federal nations.
He explained that both countries’ election management bodies have comparable constitutional responsibilities, including the conduct of national and regional elections, registration and regulation of political parties, monitoring of campaign finances, voter education, and constituency delimitation.
The INEC Chairman outlined that the delegation would, over the next one week, participate in nine technical sessions designed to provide an in-depth understanding of Nigeria’s electoral operations.
The sessions will focus on strategic planning, technology in voter registration, inclusivity in elections, stakeholder engagement, candidate management, and election logistics.
He added that some sessions would feature representatives of Nigerian civil society organizations, the media, and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), to encourage open dialogue and shared perspectives.
Yakubu also disclosed that the visitors would observe the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Council Elections scheduled for February 2026, offering them an opportunity to witness practical field operations.
He expressed appreciation to GIZ for facilitating the exchange and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to supporting peer institutions in Africa through capacity development and partnership.
In his remarks, the Leader of the visiting delegation, and Deputy Chairman of the National Election Board of Ethiopia, Mr. Tesfaye Neway, expressed gratitude to INEC for the warm reception and commended the Commission for its innovation and transparency in election management.
He said the visit was part of NEBE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic governance and institutional excellence through collaboration and comparative learning.
Mr. Neway hailed INEC’s leadership under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, describing it as a model for credible, inclusive, and technology-driven election administration in Africa.
He noted that both countries face similar challenges, including combating misinformation, enhancing voter confidence, and ensuring peaceful participation, stressing that such exchanges were vital for building resilient institutions.
He appreciated GIZ for its consistent support of electoral capacity development across Africa and reaffirmed NEBE’s commitment to deepening cooperation with INEC. According to him, democracy grows stronger when institutions learn from one another, and meaningful dialogue remains central to advancing electoral governance on the continent.
The week-long engagement will feature technical presentations, interactive sessions, and field visits, all aimed at sharing experiences and strengthening institutional collaboration.
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