Retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq Becomes INEC National Commissioner

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Summary: Retired Rear Admiral, Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, now serves as National Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representing Nigeria’s North-East. She is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s military history, becoming the first female Commodore in the Nigerian Navy in 2017 and the first woman from Northern Nigeria to attain a General-equivalent rank in the service.

Retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq has become the National Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representing Nigeria’s North-East.

The Senate confirmed her appointment following the presentation and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters during plenary. President Bola Tinubu had, on February 17, 2026, written to the Senate requesting the confirmation of Jamila’s nomination.

Presenting the committee’s report, Simon Bako Lalong, the senator representing Plateau South and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, said the committee screened the nominee and reviewed her credentials before recommending her confirmation.

He added that the committee carefully scrutinised her documents and assessed her exposure, experience, performance, qualifications, and integrity before reaching its recommendation.

Following the committee’s presentation, the Senate adopted the report and approved Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq’s appointment.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the newly confirmed commissioner and expressed confidence in her ability to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

“I congratulate the confirmed nominee for her elevation and pray that she will add value to our electoral system at a time Nigerians are in dire need of credible elections,” Akpabio said, adding that her experience would contribute positively to the work of the electoral body.

Godswill Akpabio also commended President Tinubu for appointing more women to key positions in government, noting that their contributions are important to national development.

Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s military history, becoming the first female Commodore in the Nigerian Navy in 2017 and the first woman from Northern Nigeria to attain a General-equivalent rank in the service. She served for more than three decades, contributing to maritime operations, naval administration, and maritime law, while mentoring younger officers and promoting greater inclusion of women in the armed forces. She retired in 2023 after a distinguished 35-year career.

Meanwhile, the Senate also confirmed the appointments of Usman Dakingari as a non-career ambassador and Ismail Yusuf as chairperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).