Meet the New INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan — Full Profile
GoldenNewsNg reports that Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his 10-year tenure in October 2025.
The appointment was unanimously approved by the National Council of State during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The announcement was made public by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, through a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
President Tinubu Presents Amupitan to the Council
President Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s nomination during the Council meeting, noting that the 58-year-old legal scholar is the first person from Kogi State (North-Central) to be nominated for the position.
“The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” Onanuga stated.
Council members unanimously endorsed the appointment, with Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing Amupitan as a man of proven integrity and professionalism.
In line with the Nigerian Constitution, President Tinubu will now forward his name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Who Is Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan?
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, born April 25, 1967, hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State. He is currently a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where he also serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Amupitan is an accomplished academic, lawyer, and administrator with over three decades of experience in Nigeria’s legal and academic systems.
Educational Background
Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B. in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing his training at the Nigerian Law School.
He later obtained his LL.M. in 1993 and Ph.D. in Law in 2007 from the University of Jos.
Career and Professional Experience
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 an illustrious academic career.
Over the years, he has served in several leadership positions, including:
-
Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
-
Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
-
Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Beyond UNIJOS, Amupitan also serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014, an achievement that recognizes excellence and distinction in the legal profession.
Board Memberships and Public Service
Amupitan has contributed to national development through various board and advisory roles, including:
-
Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom
-
Member, Council of Legal Education (2008–2014)
-
Member, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council
-
Former Board Member, Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004)
Areas of Expertise
His areas of legal specialization include:
-
Company Law
-
Law of Evidence
-
Corporate Governance
-
Privatization Law
Publications
Professor Amupitan has written several influential legal texts widely used in Nigerian universities and professional circles, such as:
-
Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)
-
Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)
-
Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)
-
Principles of Company Law (2013)
-
Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)
Personal Life
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children. He is widely respected for his integrity, scholarship, and commitment to legal and institutional development in Nigeria.
