The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved a sweeping promotion exercise affecting 2,339 staff members nationwide, in what insiders describe as one of the most extensive human resource decisions taken by the commission in recent years.

According to an official statement issued by INEC’s Director of Human Resources, Victoria Eta-Messi, the promotions were ratified at a commission meeting in Abuja and formed part of the 2025 Senior Staff Promotion Exercise. The move is aimed at strengthening career progression, deepening institutional memory and consolidating organisational stability ahead of future electoral activities.

At the upper echelons of the service, 82 Chief Officers on Grade Levels 14 and 15 were elevated to the rank of Assistant Director. In the next band, 91 Assistant Directors on Grade Levels 15 and 16 were promoted to Deputy Directors, reflecting a deliberate effort to reinforce mid-to-senior management capacity across the commission’s departments and state offices.

The most strategic changes occurred at the directorate level, where 45 Deputy Directors on Grade Levels 16 and 17 were promoted to full Directors. Of this number, 18 will remain in active service, while 27 are scheduled to retire shortly after their elevation, in line with public service regulations. Senior officials say this approach is designed to reward long service while ensuring a smooth transition to a new generation of leadership.

Beyond the top tiers, the promotion exercise also covered 2,121 intermediate officers on Grade Levels 07 to 13, cutting across multiple cadres and operational units. These include administrative, technical, legal, ICT and field operations staff who form the backbone of election management at federal, state and local levels.

The commission stressed that all promotions were conducted in strict compliance with established guidelines and extant public service rules, including performance evaluations, vacancy requirements and disciplinary records. It described the exercise as a reflection of its resolve to reward merit, dedication and years of service, while maintaining leadership depth across its structures.

INEC congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to redouble their commitment to professionalism, integrity and impartiality in the discharge of their duties, particularly as preparations intensify for upcoming electoral engagements across the country.