October 09, (THEWILL) — The National Council of State has 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 name for consideration during the Council’s meeting on Thursday, following the expiration of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure, which spanned from 2015 to October 2025.
Tinubu noted that Amupitan, who hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position.
The President described him as apolitical, competent, and eminently qualified to lead the commission.
Council members reportedly endorsed his nomination unanimously, with Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity and sound judgment.”
In line with constitutional provisions, Tinubu is expected to forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Amupitan, 58, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, 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 Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. Over the course of his academic career, he has held key positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).
He is the author of several notable books, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law(2013).
Outside academia, Amupitan has served on the boards of various institutions, including Integrated Dairies Limited, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education.
Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after graduating from the University of Jos, where he also obtained his LLM and PhD degrees.
He is married and blessed with four children.
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