President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appointment — confirmed by the National Council of State on Thursday — follows the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who led the commission from 2015 to October 2025. In accordance with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Below are 11 important things to know about the new INEC Chairman:
1. Origin: A Proud Son of Kogi State
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede, located in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.
2. Educational Background: From Kwara Poly to UNIJOS
He began his tertiary education at Kwara State Polytechnic between 1982 and 1984 before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he obtained his LLB (1987), LLM (1993), and PhD (2007).
Remarkably, he built his academic career at the same university where he studied, rising through the ranks to become a Professor of Law.
3. Distinguished Law Professor
Professor Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where he has taught and mentored generations of lawyers and legal scholars for more than three decades.
4. Expert in Corporate and Evidence Law
His professional and academic focus includes Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, reflecting both his theoretical depth and practical expertise in legal and governance issues.
5. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
In September 2014, Amupitan was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) — one of the highest honours in the Nigerian legal profession.
6. Over 35 Years in Academia
His teaching career began in 1989, shortly after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation. Since then, he has contributed over three decades of dedicated service to the academic and legal community.
7. Leadership Roles in the University System
At UNIJOS, Professor Amupitan has served in several key administrative and leadership capacities, including:
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Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
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Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
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Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Jos.
8. Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman
Beyond UNIJOS, he serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State — demonstrating his influence in higher education leadership beyond his home institution.
9. Corporate and Policy Board Experience
Professor Amupitan is a respected board member across multiple institutions.
He sits on the board of Integrated Dairies Limited (Vom) and has previously served on the Council of Legal Education, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and as a board member of Riss Oil Limited.
10. Author of Influential Legal Texts
A prolific writer, he has authored several widely referenced books used in Nigerian universities and legal circles, including:
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Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)
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Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)
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Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)
11. First INEC Chairman from North-Central Nigeria
Upon confirmation, Amupitan will make history as the first INEC Chairman from the North-Central geopolitical zone.
Since 1959, Nigeria has established six electoral bodies and appointed 14 substantive chairpersons, along with two acting heads.
A geopolitical review shows that the South-South region has produced eight, South-East three, North-West two, North-East one — while the North-Central and South-West have produced none until now.
From the colonial-era Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) to the present-day INEC, past leaders include:
Ronald Edward Wraith (1958), Eyo Ita Esua (1964–1966), Michael Ani (1976–1979), Victor Ovie-Whisky (1980–1983), Eme Awa (1987–1989), Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993), Okon Edet Uya (1993), Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998), Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000), Abel Guobadia (2000–2005), Maurice Iwu (2005–2010), Attahiru Jega (2010–2015), Amina Bala Zakari (Acting, 2015), Mahmood Yakubu (2015–2025), and May Agbamuche-Mbu (Acting, 2025).
