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).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination during the Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
According to President Tinubu, Professor Amupitan — from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State — is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position and is known for his apolitical stance and professional integrity.
Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing Amupitan as a man of proven character and competence.
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Aged 58, Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), 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, Osun State.
A distinguished legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
His academic journey began after earning his LL.B from the University of Jos in 1987 and being called to the bar in 1988. He obtained an LL.M from the same university in 1993 and a Ph.D. in 2007.
Beyond academia, Amupitan has served on various corporate and legal boards, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom.
An accomplished author, he has written several influential legal texts, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles, Documentary Evidence in Nigeria, Principles of Company Law, and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria.
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.