National Council of State Approves Professor Amupitan as INEC Chairman
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that 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).
OTN News further reports that the announcement was made in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated October 9, 2025.
The approval followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of Amupitan as his nominee to fill the position vacated by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
Speaking during the council meeting, President Tinubu noted that Amupitan’s nomination marks the first time a person from Kogi State in the North-Central region has been nominated to lead the electoral body.
He described the nominee as “apolitical” and highly qualified for the task of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commending Amupitan as “a man of integrity” whose track record in academia and law demonstrates competence and dedication.
In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A renowned scholar and legal luminary, 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.
Amupitan’s extensive academic career spans over three decades. He has served as 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) at the University of Jos.
Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Jos in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing his studies at the Nigerian Law School. He later earned an LL.M. in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Law in 2007, both from the University of Jos.
His early professional experience includes a stint at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation during his National Youth Service between 1988 and 1989.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He has authored several influential legal texts, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
Beyond the academia, Amupitan has held several leadership and advisory roles. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014), and a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom. He previously served on the board of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
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