National Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central zone as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Thursday.
According to the statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan as the nominee to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended in October 2025 after serving as INEC Chairman since 2015.
President Tinubu informed the Council that Professor Amupitan, who hails from Kogi State, is the first individual from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position. The President also described him as a distinguished scholar and an apolitical figure with a strong record of integrity and professionalism.
Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, commending Professor Amupitan as “a man of proven integrity, sound intellect, and exemplary character.”
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A seasoned academic and legal expert, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
His educational journey began at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), followed by a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Jos (1984–1987). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and obtained his Master of Laws (LLM) from the same university in 1993, before earning a Ph.D. in Law in 2007.
Professor Amupitan’s academic career began in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation. Over the years, he has held several key positions at the University of Jos, including Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014); Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014); and Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008).
Beyond academia, he has served on several corporate and public boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom; the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council; and the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014). He was also a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).
A prolific author, Professor Amupitan has written several notable legal texts, including 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 Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and blessed with four children.
With his appointment, Professor Amupitan is expected to bring his wealth of academic, legal, and administrative experience to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and promote credibility, transparency, and professionalism in the conduct of future elections