By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, October 9, 2025 — The National Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), State House, Abuja on October 9, 2025
The endorsement followed the presentation of Professor Amupitan’s nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who informed the Council that the appointment was to fill the vacancy created by the completion of tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
President Tinubu described Professor Amupitan as an “apolitical academic of sterling integrity and competence,” noting that he is the first individual from Kogi State and the wider North-Central region to be nominated for the position.
Council members unanimously supported the President’s choice, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State commending Amupitan’s track record, describing him as “a man of integrity, scholarship, and service.”
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will forward Professor Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Profile of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN)
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan is a distinguished legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and 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 holds an LLB (1987), LLM (1993), and a PhD in Law (2007). He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School.
Professor Amupitan began his academic career at the University of Jos in 1989, shortly after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation. Over the years, he has served in several leadership capacities, including:
Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
Beyond academia, he has contributed to public service and corporate governance as a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Council of Legal Education (2008–2014), and Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom. He also previously served on the board of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).
A prolific author, Professor Amupitan has written extensively on corporate governance, evidence law, and company law. His notable works include:
Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)
Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)
Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)
Principles of Company Law (2013)
An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)
Professor Amupitan, 58, is married and blessed with four children.
