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).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council on Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
The President described Amupitan as “a distinguished scholar and an apolitical figure from Kogi State,” noting that he is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position.
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In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Below are things to know about Professor Amupitan
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Jos in 1993 and later completed a Ph.D. in Law at the same institution in 2007.
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER
After his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988–1989), Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer in 1989, marking the beginning of a distinguished academic career.
Over the years, he has served in several key positions at the university, including:
Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) — a position he currently holds.
In addition to his university duties, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
Amupitan became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Outside academia, Amupitan has held several national and corporate leadership roles. He served on the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014) and is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
He has also served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, and Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).
PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Professor Amupitan is widely published, with several influential works in Nigerian legal scholarship. His books 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)
His areas of expertise span Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
PERSONAL LIFE
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
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