President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure. The National Council of State has unanimously endorsed the appointment, and the President will now forward his name to the Senate for screening and confirmation, in line with constitutional provisions.
Professor Amupitan, aged 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A renowned legal scholar and practitioner, he is currently a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he also serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, and was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.
His appointment follows the conclusion of Mahmood Yakubu’s ten-year leadership of the commission. Yakubu, who served two consecutive terms, oversaw several electoral reforms and introduced technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic result transmission. However, his tenure was also marked by criticism over logistical delays and the credibility of some election results. With his departure, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, currently serves as acting chair pending Senate confirmation of Amupitan.
Amupitan’s academic journey began at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984) before he proceeded to the University of Jos, where he earned his LLB in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and went on to obtain his LLM in 1993 and a PhD in Law in 2007. He joined the University of Jos in 1989 as a lecturer and has since risen through the ranks, serving in several key administrative capacities. These include Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).
Beyond the University of Jos, Professor Amupitan also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. He has held seats on national legal bodies such as the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and has contributed to several committees on legal reforms and academic governance.
His nomination has received broad support from members of the National Council of State, including former presidents, governors, and other national leaders. President Tinubu described Amupitan as “a man of integrity and intellectual discipline,” while observers noted that he is the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the role of INEC Chair.
If confirmed by the Senate, Professor Amupitan will become the 13th substantive INEC Chairman since Nigeria’s independence. His early challenges will include conducting the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for 8 November 2025 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in February 2026. Both polls will serve as key tests of his leadership, administrative efficiency, and the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections.
Analysts note that Amupitan’s success will depend on his ability to consolidate INEC’s institutional reforms, improve election logistics, and rebuild public confidence in the commission. He is also expected to strengthen internal accountability mechanisms and enhance the use of technology to promote transparency in vote collation and transmission.
Nigeria’s electoral credibility has long been tied to the quality of leadership at INEC. Professor Amupitan’s appointment presents a new opportunity to address persistent issues of voter apathy, delayed results, and weak enforcement of electoral laws. As he prepares to take on one of the country’s most consequential roles, the expectations are high — that he will combine his academic discipline, legal expertise, and personal integrity to guide Nigeria’s electoral system toward greater transparency and public trust.
All eyes will now turn to the Senate, whose confirmation process will determine whether Professor Amupitan formally assumes office as the country’s next INEC Chairman and the custodian of Nigeria’s democratic credibility.
