President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appointment was officially confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential spokesman.
According to Onanuga, the National Council of State endorsed Amupitan’s nomination after President Tinubu presented his name to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit,” Onanuga stated.
Tinubu noted that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to be nominated for the position. He also described the new appointee as non-partisan and a man of integrity.
During the session, Council members unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State commending Amupitan’s honesty, professionalism, and character.
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, aged 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and also an alumnus of the same institution.
A distinguished legal scholar, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
He attained the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014 and is widely respected for his academic and professional contributions to Nigeria’s legal and governance systems.
