Council of State Approves Professor Amupitan as New INEC Chairman

178

 By: Imran Musa

 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), following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to October 2025.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President described the nominee as a distinguished scholar and a man of integrity, stressing that his appointment reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system with capable and apolitical leadership.

 

According to President Tinubu, Amupitan, from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the INEC top job.

 

Council members reportedly endorsed the nomination unanimously. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State commended the President’s choice, describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity, intellect, and proven leadership.”

 

In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

 

Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and currently serves as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He also chairs the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

 

A renowned legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan holds degrees from the University of Jos, where he earned his LLB (1987), LLM (1993), and PhD (2007). He began his academic career at UNIJOS in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.

 

Amupitan’s expertise spans Company Law, Corporate Governance, Privatisation Law, and the Law of Evidence. He has held several key academic positions including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014) and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).

 

Beyond the university, he has served on various national boards and councils, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom.

 

An accomplished author, Amupitan has published extensively, with notable works such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008) and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013).

 

He is married and blessed with four children.

 

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the Council’s decision in a statement issued Thursday, October 9, 2025.

 

PR/Imran Musa of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to October 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President described the nominee as a distinguished scholar and a man of integrity, stressing that his appointment reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system with capable and apolitical leadership.

According to President Tinubu, Amupitan, from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the INEC top job.

Council members reportedly endorsed the nomination unanimously. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State commended the President’s choice, describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity, intellect, and proven leadership.”

In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and currently serves as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He also chairs the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

A renowned legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan holds degrees from the University of Jos, where he earned his LLB (1987), LLM (1993), and PhD (2007). He began his academic career at UNIJOS in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.

Amupitan’s expertise spans Company Law, Corporate Governance, Privatisation Law, and the Law of Evidence. He has held several key academic positions including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014) and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).

Beyond the university, he has served on various national boards and councils, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, the Council of Legal Education, and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom.

An accomplished author, Amupitan has published extensively, with notable works such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008) and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013).

He is married and blessed with four children.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the Council’s decision in a statement issued Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Published on

October 9, 2025, 15:33 +00:00

AUTHOR

Saratu Ashafa