The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This was disclosed via a State House Press Release signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
According to the release, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.
Part of the release noted “President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.
Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening”
A Brief Biography of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN): Newly Appointed INEC Chairman
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a distinguished Nigerian legal scholar and administrator, was appointed as the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 9, 2025, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu whose 10-year tenure ended this month. His nomination by President Bola Tinubu was unanimously approved by the National Council of State, marking him as one of the few INEC chairmen from the North-Central region.
Born in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan has built a renowned career in academia and public service. He earned his degrees in law from the University of Lagos and later became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a prestigious honor in the Nigerian legal profession. As a professor of law, he has specialized in evidence law, corporate governance, and constitutional matters, authoring influential textbooks widely used in Nigerian universities, including *Corporate Governance: Models and Principles* (2008), *Documentary Evidence in Nigeria* (2008), and *Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria* (2013).
Amupitan’s administrative roles underscore his commitment to education and governance. He served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) from 2016 to 2021, where he spearheaded reforms in academic standards and infrastructure. Currently, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His prior experience includes positions at the National Universities Commission (NUC), contributing to policy on higher education revitalization and innovation.
Prior to his INEC appointment, Amupitan was involved in electoral and constitutional advisory roles, though details remain limited in public records. Known for his impartiality and expertise in legal arbitration, he is expected to prioritize electoral reforms and credibility amid Nigeria’s upcoming polls, including the 2027 general elections. As the substantive chairman, he assumes leadership following a brief acting tenure by National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu.
