The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The approval followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of Amupitan’s nomination to the council to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
President Tinubu described the nominee as an accomplished scholar and the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to be nominated for the position. He emphasized that Amupitan is “apolitical and of proven integrity.”
Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commending Amupitan’s character and competence.
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, where he also lectures in the Faculty of Law.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) since 2014, Amupitan holds degrees from the University of Jos, including an LLM (1993) and PhD (2007) in Law. His academic career began in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.
Over the years, he has served in several leadership positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), and Head of Public Law (2006–2008).
Outside academia, Amupitan has contributed to various national and corporate boards, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
An accomplished author, Professor Amupitan has written several books, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013).
He is married and blessed with four children.
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