A foremost legal practitioner and academia, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has been appointed as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The legal luminary was chosen to head the country’s electoral body by President Bola Tinubu, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu after the expiration of his 10-year tenure.
However, the appointment of Mr Amupitan is subject to the confirmation of the Senate, according to the Nigerian Constitution.
Mr Tinubu nominated the new INEC chief and his appointment was unanimously approved by the National Council of State at its meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
The council comprises past Nigerian leaders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, and others.
The 58-year-old Amupitan, who is married with four children, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He has published works on company law, evidence, and corporate governance, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria.
He became a SAN in 2014. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, and serves as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and is Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
Mr Amupitan holds LLM (1993) and PhD (2007) degrees from the University of Jos. He began his academic career in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.
He has served in several academic leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at the University of Jos. He has also held board positions in the private sector and served on national legal education bodies.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the new INEC chairman is apolitical.