Tinubu Names Professor Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking a new phase in the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the National Council of State had given its endorsement to the appointment after the president presented Amupitan’s name for consideration.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu told the council that the appointment followed the completion of the tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who had served as INEC Chairman since 2015. The president described the nominee as a respected scholar and administrator of impeccable character.
“President Tinubu informed the council that Professor Joash Amupitan is an experienced academic, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to be nominated for the position of INEC Chairman,” the statement read.
It added that the council members unanimously supported the nomination, noting that Amupitan’s experience in legal education and public service would contribute significantly to strengthening the country’s electoral process.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State also commended the president’s choice, describing Professor Amupitan as “a man of proven integrity whose leadership will enhance public confidence in the electoral system.”
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation before he formally assumes office.
Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
An accomplished academic and lawyer, Amupitan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Jos, which he obtained in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He earned his Master’s degree in Law (LL.M) in 1993 and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law in 2007 from the same institution.
His journey in academia began in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation. Over the years, he has built a distinguished career in the field of legal education, mentoring several generations of lawyers and contributing to the development of Nigeria’s legal framework.
Amupitan has served in various leadership capacities at the University of Jos, including Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014). His administrative experience and commitment to academic excellence have earned him respect within and outside the university community.
Beyond academia, Professor Amupitan has been actively involved in public service and corporate governance. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education. He also serves on the board of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, Plateau State, and previously sat on the board of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja, between 1996 and 2004.
Recognized as one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars in Company Law and Corporate Governance, Amupitan has authored several influential legal textbooks and research works. Some of his notable publications include 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). His books are widely used in Nigerian universities and professional legal circles.
As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan has been involved in promoting ethics, justice, and transparency within the legal profession. Colleagues and students describe him as a disciplined scholar who combines academic brilliance with moral uprightness.
His appointment as INEC Chairman comes at a time when the commission is under increasing public scrutiny to deliver free, fair, and credible elections. Many political observers believe his legal expertise and background in governance will help strengthen institutional reforms within the electoral body.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, between 1982 and 1984 before proceeding to the University of Jos. He has dedicated over three decades to teaching, research, and administrative service.
He is married and blessed with four children.
The nomination of Professor Amupitan reflects President Tinubu’s pledge to ensure that leadership positions in critical national institutions are occupied by individuals of proven capacity and integrity. With his background and reputation, expectations are high that Amupitan will bring renewed professionalism and credibility to Nigeria’s electoral management system.