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). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to fill the vacant position following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit, who served from 2015 to October 2025.
Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Kogi State’s Ijumu Local Government Area. He is a distinguished academic and Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he also obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Amupitan is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatization Law.
Amupitan has an impressive academic and professional background, having served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. He has published several influential books on law and has held various leadership positions in academia and industry.
The National Council of State’s approval is a step towards Amupitan’s appointment as INEC Chairman. Following this development, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The council members praised Amupitan’s integrity and qualifications, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing him as “a man of integrity.”
This appointment was contained in a state press statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
