The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The announcement was made on Thursday, following a Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure officially ended in October 2025 after serving two consecutive terms.
Advertisement
Yakubu’s leadership was marked by major electoral reforms and the introduction of technology-driven voting systems that reshaped Nigeria’s electoral process.
The President told the Council, “Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, a 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.
Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau, and an alumnus of the university.
The statement added, “He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law.
“He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.”
Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and the University of Jos before being called to the bar in 1988. He earned an LLM in 1993 and a PhD in 2007.
“Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos,” the statement noted.
He holds this position in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
The release also highlighted his academic and professional contributions: “Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
“Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom.
“He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014).”
