The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council during its meeting on Thursday, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Council unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination, describing him as a man of integrity and impeccable character.
President Tinubu noted that Amupitan, who hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central region to be nominated for the position. He also stressed that the nominee is apolitical and possesses vast experience in law and governance.
In line with constitutional requirements, the President will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Evidence Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He has held several academic and administrative positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at UNIJOS.
Beyond academia, he serves on several boards, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom.
Amupitan is also a prolific author, with publications such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013).
He is married and blessed with four children.