President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and renowned corporate law expert, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The nomination, presented to and unanimously approved by the National Council of State, seeks to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ran from 2015 until October 2025.
Professor Amupitan, 58, currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and is the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University. In presenting his nominee, President Tinubu stressed that Professor Amupitan, the first person from Kogi State’s North-Central region to be nominated for the position, is strictly “apolitical.” Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo endorsed the choice, describing the nominee as “a man of integrity.”
Amupitan’s professional background suggests a potential shift towards greater institutional rigour and transparency within the electoral body. As an academic, his specialisations include Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. His published works, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles, along with a stated research interest in the reform of electoral laws, indicate a deep commitment to institutional structure and fiduciary accountability.
Analysts suggest that appointing a figure steeped in corporate governance principles could positively affect Nigeria’s business and investment climate. The integrity of national elections is a critical factor in mitigating political risk; a transparent, accountable, and legally sound electoral process is essential for instilling confidence in both local and foreign investors. By selecting an expert whose career is focused on the mechanisms of accountability within complex organisations, the administration appears to signal an intent to professionalise the INEC’s administrative framework.
A graduate of the University of Jos, Professor Amupitan was called to the Bar in 1988 and became a SAN in 2014. Beyond his academic roles—which include serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law—he has served on the governing councils of various institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. His past experience includes board membership at Integrated Dairies Limited and Riss Oil Limited, providing him with practical exposure to the private sector and the regulatory challenges inherent in business.
The nomination now proceeds to the Senate for screening, where Professor Amupitan’s impressive legal and administrative pedigree will be scrutinised as he prepares to take charge of one of the nation’s most sensitive and vital institutions.
