INEC was set up in 1998, before that the electoral body in Nigeria was called the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) and was established in 1960.
1. Eyo Esua (1964–1966)
Firstly, he was a talented Nigerian teacher. Then he became trade unionist who was on the leading position of the Balewa government’s Federal Electoral Commission in the Nigerian First Republic. In 1964, Eyo Esua became the first chairman in the history of INEC or, if to be precise, FEDECO.
2. Michael Ani (1976–1979) As you can see there is a 10 years gap between the first and second chairman. This is because the electoral body in Nigeria stopped its existence after the coup of 1966.
Michael Ani is known as the second head of the Federal Electoral Commission. This committee itself was instituted by General Olusegun Obasanjo in order to monitor the poll process of the Nigerian Second Republic.
3. Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983) He was chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) selected by President Shehu Shagari during the Nigerian Second Republic.
4. Eme Awa (1987–1989) He became chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (also called NECON) under President Ibrahim Babangida.
5. Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993) He was also head of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) chosen by President Ibrahim Babangida.
6. Okon Uya (1993, June-November) Professor Okon Uya didn`t stay long as chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). President Ibrahim Babangida chose him after the presidential election on June 12, 1993, which was canceled, and his predecessor left the post.
7. Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998) Sumner Dagogo-Jack was chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) chosen by President Shehu Shagari. And he was the last chairman of NECON because, in 1998, INEC was set.
8. Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000) Ephraim Akpata is known as the first head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria. Ephraim Akpata was responsible for the elections in 1998-1999 that re-introduced democracy in May 1999.
9. Abel Guobadia (2000–2005) This ambassador and the retired public assistant was the second chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
10. Maurice Iwu (2005–2010) He was the third chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Maurice Iwu is also a Professor of Pharmacognosy.
11. Attahiru Jega (2010–2015) Many Nigerians know him also as an academic and the former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University.
12. Mahmood Yakubu (2015-present) Mahmood Yakubu is an academic and the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).