BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates Kogi-Born Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The nomination, which received the unanimous approval of the National Council of State on Thursday, follows the end of tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.

Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name during the Council of State meeting held at the State House, Abuja, describing him as “a man of integrity and proven competence.”

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President noted that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State and the North-Central region to be nominated for the position.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who attended the meeting, commended the President’s choice, describing Amupitan as “a man of character and sound moral standing.”

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

Born on April 25, 1967, Prof. Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).

An accomplished academic and lawyer, Amupitan specializes in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

He obtained his LLB from the University of Jos in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and earned both his LLM (1993) and PhD (2007) from the same university.

Throughout his career, Amupitan has held several leadership positions at UNIJOS, including Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and Head of the Department of Public Law.

Beyond academia, he serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State, and sits on the boards of several organizations, including Integrated Dairies Limited and the Council of Legal Education.

A prolific author, Amupitan has written several books on Nigerian law, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), and Principles of Company Law (2013).

He is married with four children.