…Council of State backs appointment
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), following the approval of the National Council of State yesterday.
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the Council unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination.
President Tinubu described him as “a man of integrity” and the first person from Kogi State—and the North-Central region—to be nominated for the role. His name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
Amupitan succeeds Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure ended this month after overseeing three general elections.
Born in 1967 in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State, Amupitan is a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
A graduate of the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D. degrees, Amupitan has taught law for over three decades, specialising in Company Law, Corporate Governance, and Law of Evidence.
He has held several administrative roles at the University of Jos, including Dean of Law and Head of Public Law, and has served on national legal and governance bodies.
Amupitan’s appointment signals a new chapter for INEC, as Nigeria prepares for upcoming off-cycle and general elections.
