Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has arrived in Doha to assume duty as Nigeria’s ambassador to Qatar, marking his transition from electoral administration to diplomatic service.
Yakubu, who became the first INEC chairman to serve two terms, completed his tenure in October last year. He was among the ambassadorial nominees submitted to the Senate by Bola Tinubu in November and was subsequently confirmed before being appointed ambassador to Qatar.
The new envoy was received on arrival in Doha on Wednesday by Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in what officials described as a formal diplomatic welcome.
Also present at the airport were 13 African ambassadors, Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Philip Mshelbila, and President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Qatar, Michael Ndukaihe Ihekwaba.
Analysts have described Yakubu’s posting as strategic, given the growing political and economic ties between Nigeria and Qatar.
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 2010 and opened embassies in Abuja and Doha in 2013. Bilateral ties have strengthened through a series of high-level engagements, including the visit of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Qatar in 2016 and the visit of Qatar’s ruler, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Nigeria in 2019.
Relations were further deepened during President Tinubu’s visit to Qatar in 2024, when both countries signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at boosting economic cooperation.
Energy remains a major area of collaboration between the two nations. As one of the world’s leading liquefied natural gas exporters, Qatar is seen as a key partner in Nigeria’s efforts to maximise its vast gas resources under the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative.
Yakubu is also expected to explore opportunities for attracting Qatari investment into Nigeria, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, aviation, real estate, and digital infrastructure. The focus will be on leveraging the resources of the Qatar Investment Authority to support viable projects in Nigeria.
Beyond economic diplomacy, the ambassador is expected to work closely with the Nigerian community in Qatar to improve consular services, protect the welfare of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf region, and encourage greater diaspora investment in Nigeria’s economy.
His appointment comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its diplomatic and economic presence in the Gulf region amid efforts to diversify international partnerships and attract foreign investment.
