In a landmark decision aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions, 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 endorsement followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of Amupitan’s nomination during the Council’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday. The President noted that the nominee, an accomplished legal scholar from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, represents the North-Central geopolitical zone and is the first person from the state to be nominated for the top electoral position.
President Tinubu described Professor Amupitan as a “non-partisan, principled, and competent Nigerian whose wealth of experience in law and governance will strengthen the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.”
The Council, comprising former Heads of State, State Governors, and key national leaders, unanimously endorsed the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State praised the appointee as “a man of unquestionable integrity and high moral standing,” affirming that his appointment will inspire confidence in the nation’s electoral system.
Following the Council’s approval, President Tinubu will transmit Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Professor Amupitan, 58, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He also doubles as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
An alumnus of the University of Jos, Amupitan earned his LLB in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and obtained his LL.M in 1993 and PhD in 2007. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.
Throughout his illustrious academic career, he has held several leadership roles including Dean, Faculty of Law, and Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors at UNIJOS. He has also served on national boards such as the Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and Integrated Dairies Limited, among others.
A prolific author, Professor Amupitan has written extensively on Corporate Governance, Evidence Law, and Company Law, with notable titles such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013).
He is married and blessed with four children.
With this endorsement, Professor Amupitan is set to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025, overseeing multiple general elections that shaped Nigeria’s democratic trajectory.
