During the 2025 Customer Service Week, the electoral umpire pledges a new era of technology, transparency, and respect for citizens, setting the gold standard for public service delivery in Nigeria.
By Joy Odor, Abuja
In a bold reaffirmation of its reform agenda, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that technology and service excellence will remain at the heart of its operations, ensuring that every Nigerian’s experience with the electoral body is seamless, transparent, and dignified.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration in Abuja during the 2025 edition of the Global Customer Service Week, themed “Mission Possible.”
Yakubu described excellent customer service as the backbone of democratic trust, stressing that for a sensitive institution like INEC, citizen experience is not just a courtesy, it’s a constitutional duty.
“Customer service in the public sector is not a luxury but a duty,” Yakubu stated firmly. “INEC will continue to build systems that make every Nigerian’s interaction with us smooth, respectful, and rewarding.”
The Commission’s celebration centered on the “5 Rs of Customer Service” Respect, Responsiveness, Responsibility, Resolution, and Relationship with awards presented to staff who have shown innovation and dedication to voter engagement and service excellence.
Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, in a moment of candor and humor, hailed Yakubu’s tech-driven leadership.
“We call you the ‘Technology Chairman’ because your tenure has introduced innovation in no small measure,” she quipped, drawing laughter and applause.
Oriaran-Anthony noted that under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC has become one of Nigeria’s most technologically advanced public institutions, emphasizing that its SERVICOM Unit curated the award ceremony to celebrate innovation and dedication.
“Our staff cross rivers by canoe, deserts by donkey, and mountains on foot to ensure every Nigerian can vote,” she said passionately.
She disclosed that INEC has been shortlisted for a national SERVICOM award as one of the best-performing MDAs in technology adoption, a recognition of its leadership in digital reforms, transparency, and voter accessibility.
Also speaking, Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, Head of Operations at SERVICOM (Presidency), lauded INEC for setting the pace for other public institutions.
“This is the first customer service event for MDAs this year, and INEC has raised the bar,” Akinbodewa declared. “Service excellence is turning the impossible into possible and INEC has proven that through technology, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.”
She said this year’s theme, “Mission Possible,” aptly captures INEC’s drive to turn electoral challenges into innovations that benefit the people from improved voter access to real-time result transmission.
“One day soon, Nigerians will see election results transmitted live that’s our definition of Mission Possible,” she announced, sparking cheers from the audience.
Akinbodewa also highlighted the symbolism of the week’s colors, teal (patience), white (transparency), and red (passion) values, she said, define INEC’s new identity as a citizen-first institution.
In his closing remarks, Professor Yakubu applauded the Commission’s staff for their dedication to service excellence, vowing to sustain reforms that make Nigeria’s electoral process more transparent, efficient, and voter-friendly.
“We will not relent in our efforts to make the electoral process more transparent and citizen-focused,” he said. “Every Nigerian deserves respect, trust, and excellence in their interaction with INEC.”
The event concluded with a standing ovation as Professor Yakubu received a leadership award for his visionary transformation of INEC into a technology-driven powerhouse one redefining democratic service delivery across Africa.
