Yakubu pledges better voter experience as INEC marks 2025 customer service week

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reiterated its commitment to service excellence, transparency, and innovation in public service delivery.

Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Customer Service Week, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, said the Customer Service Week serves as a reminder of INEC’s dedication to the public.

“Customer Service Week reminds us that every comment, every inquiry responded to, and every concern addressed strengthens our commitment to the public interest,” Mahmoud stated.

He described the annual observance as a platform to celebrate frontline staff and renew the Commission’s resolve to deliver credible, citizen-focused services across all operations.

He urged staff to use the occasion not only for celebration but also for reflection and rededication to INEC’s core values.

According to him, service should be viewed as “prayer in action,” adding that consistent effort and integrity are vital to achieving the Commission’s mandate.

This year’s Customer Service Week, themed ‘Mission Possible,’ highlights the need to turn challenges into opportunities through collaboration, innovation, and proactive service delivery.

Mahmood reaffirmed that INEC’s Service Charter and Freedom of Information commitments remain central to its goal of ensuring accessible and citizen-centred services.

He also disclosed that visiting officials from Ethiopia’s National Election Board and several civil society organisations were in Nigeria to understudy INEC’s processes during the celebration week, a development he described as proof of the Commission’s growing regional influence.

As the event drew to a close, both speakers reiterated that service excellence is achievable through teamwork, staff motivation, and a culture of continuous improvement.

“At INEC, we believe that what once seemed impossible can be achieved through teamwork, innovation, and integrity,” Yakubu added.

Earlier, Ngozi Akinbodewa, who represented the Acting National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, BPSR, commended INEC for its leadership in promoting transparency, citizen engagement, and data-driven governance.

“We are delighted to see INEC championing data-driven information management and proactive customer engagement.

“The Commission has set a standard that other MDAs can emulate, aligning with best practices that value both employees and the citizens they serve,” she said.

Ms Akinbodewa noted that INEC’s increasing use of digital platforms and data analytics reflects global standards of transparency and accountability, positioning it as a model for service-driven governance in Nigeria.

The 2025 celebration featured colourful decorations in blue, white, and red representing calmness, transparency, and passion respectively symbolising INEC’s commitment to openness and trust in public service.

She further emphasised the importance of moving “from reactive to proactive, and from bureaucracy to responsiveness” through technology and collaboration. She urged staff to embrace creativity, teamwork, and resilience in improving electoral and administrative service delivery.

“Commitment to service excellence makes missions achievable.

“INEC’s emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders from civil society to local communities enhances transparency and strengthens democratic outcomes,” she added.

The 2025 Customer Service Week is being marked globally from October 6 to 10, with organisations spotlighting staff dedication, customer satisfaction, and innovation in service delivery.