The National Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the presentation of his name by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the Council’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.
The appointment of Professor Amupitan, a distinguished scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, comes after the completion of tenure by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
President Tinubu informed the Council that Amupitan, who hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the top electoral position. The President described him as a seasoned legal mind and an apolitical professional with a proven record of integrity and excellence.
Council members, including governors, former Presidents, and key state officials, unanimously endorsed the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State lauded the choice, describing Professor Amupitan as a man of high moral standing and professional competence.
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will forward the nomination to the Senate for confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan, aged 58, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, 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.
An alumnus of the University of Jos, Amupitan obtained his LLB in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and earned his LLM in 1993 and PhD in 2007 from the same institution. His academic journey began in 1989, after completing his National Youth Service with the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.
Professor Amupitan has held several leadership roles at the University of Jos, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), and Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008).
Beyond academia, he has contributed significantly to public and private governance. He serves on the Board of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and previously served on the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014).
A prolific author, Professor Amupitan has written several notable law 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 An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and blessed with four children.
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