The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s nomination during the Council meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Prof Amupitan is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Kogi state. He replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended in October 2025 after seving since 2015.
This development was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in Abuja.
President Tinubu described Professor Amupitan as “a man of integrity and impeccable character who is not politically aligned,” noting that he is the first person from Kogi State and the North-Central region to be nominated for the position of INEC Chairman.
Members of the Council unanimously endorsed the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State lauded Amupitan’s competence and reputation, describing him as “a man of honour, discipline, and deep commitment to national service.”
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Professor Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan, 58, is currently a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
A renowned legal scholar, Amupitan specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatization Law. He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
He began his academic journey at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree (1984–1987). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and later obtained an LLM in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, both from the University of Jos.
Following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988–1989), Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer in 1989. He rose steadily through the ranks to become one of the institution’s leading academic administrators.
He has held several strategic academic positions, including Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014); Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014); and Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008).
Outside academia, Professor Amupitan has contributed his expertise to national development through service on various boards and councils. These include the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014), and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom. He also served as a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).
A prolific legal author, his notable publications include Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
