National Council of State approves Professor Amupitan as next INEC Chairman
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 approval was confirmed in a statement posted on X on Thursday by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. This nomination follows the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his 10-year tenure in October 2025.
President Tinubu informed the Council that Amupitan, a 58-year-old Professor of Law from Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central states to be nominated for the position.
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Council members reportedly gave unanimous support to the nomination, with Kogi State 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,” the statement read.
Meet the New INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he also serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014 and specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
Amupitan earned his LL.B from the University of Jos in 1987 and was called to the bar in 1988. He further obtained an LL.M from the same university in 1993 and a PhD in 2007.
Beginning his academic career at UNIJOS in 1989 after his National Youth Service, Amupitan has since held several leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), and Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).
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He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State, and sits on the boards of several institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom.
The legal scholar has authored 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).
Professor Amupitan is married with four children.
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