The daily torch media
The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
Tinubu informed the council that Amupitan, a native of Kogi State, is the first nominee from the North-Central to head the commission and described him as apolitical.
The council unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
In compliance with the Constitution, President Bola Tinubu will forward Professor Joash Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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 also earned his degrees.
A legal scholar and practitioner, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan completed his primary and secondary education before attending Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), and the University of Jos (1984–1987). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
He obtained his Master’s degree (LL.M) from UNIJOS in 1993 and his PhD in 2007. His academic career began in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988–1989).
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and also holds the role of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
At UNIJOS, he has held key academic leadership roles including:
– Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
– Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
– Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
Outside academia, Professor Amupitan has held several notable positions. He is a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom; 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). He was also a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja, from 1996 to 2004.
A prolific legal author, Amupitan has written several influential books, 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.
