The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure in October 2025.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, President Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s nomination to the council during its meeting, describing him as an apolitical figure and the first individual from Kogi State, in Nigeria’s North-Central region, to be nominated for the position.
The Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State praising Amupitan as “a man of integrity.”
In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Profile of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN)
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan, 58, is a distinguished legal scholar and academic. He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, and also as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Evidence Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He obtained his LLM (1993) and PhD (2007) degrees from UNIJOS, after earning his LLB (1987) and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
His academic career began in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation. Over the years, he has served in several key academic positions, including:
- Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Jos (2008–2014)
- Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
- Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
Outside academia, Professor Amupitan has held various leadership roles, including serving as a Board Member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a Member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and a Member of the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014).
He is also a prolific author, with several publications to his credit, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), and Principles of Company Law (2013).
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
