BREAKING: Council of State Endorses Prof. Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman
The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision was made during the Council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of Amupitan’s nomination to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
President Tinubu described Professor Amupitan as a distinguished academic and legal expert with an unblemished record of service, noting that he is the first nominee from Kogi State and the North-Central region to be considered for the position. The President also highlighted his apolitical stance and professional competence as key reasons for the nomination.
Council members unanimously endorsed the nominee, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commending the choice and describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity whose wealth of experience will strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.”
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu is expected to forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he also serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), and doubles as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A seasoned scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Jos in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and earned his Master’s (LL.M) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees from the same institution in 1993 and 2007, respectively.
Throughout his distinguished career, Amupitan has served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and Head of the Department of Public Law at the University of Jos. He has also served on several boards, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited.
He has authored several 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).
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
