Abuja, Oct. 9, 2025 — Coolnews Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appointment received unanimous approval from members of the National Council of State during its meeting held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Prof. Amupitan’s nomination follows the end of tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who has served as INEC Chairman since 2015.
Announcing the appointment, President Tinubu described Amupitan as “an apolitical Nigerian with unquestionable integrity and deep understanding of the law.” The President also noted that the new appointee is the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the nation’s top electoral position.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who attended the Council meeting, commended the choice, describing Prof. Amupitan as “a man of integrity, intellect, and proven character.”
In line with constitutional requirements, the President will transmit Amupitan’s name to the Senate for formal screening and confirmation.
At 58 years old, Prof. Joash Amupitan is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a respected legal scholar, and currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Jos, Plateau State. He also serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Osun State.
An alumnus of the University of Jos, he obtained his LL.B in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and later earned his LL.M (1993) and Ph.D. (2007) from the same institution.
Since joining the University of Jos in 1989, Prof. Amupitan has served in various leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), and Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008).
Beyond the academic sphere, he has contributed to national development through his service on several boards, such as the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom.
A prolific author, Amupitan has published influential legal texts, 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).
He is married and blessed with four children.
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