President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — a nomination that received swift approval from the National Council of State on Thursday.
Last week, THISDAY reported that President Tinubu had concluded his search for a new INEC Chairman and was seriously considering Professor Amupitan, a respected academic from Kogi State, to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure is coming to an end after nearly a decade in office.
Confirming the development, a presidency source told THISDAY, “Yes ooo,” when asked about the nomination. Close associates of Amupitan also revealed that while the formal announcement had not yet been made, he was already being strongly considered.
At the Council of State meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu officially presented Professor Amupitan’s name for approval. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president informed council members that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State, in the North-Central region, to be nominated for the position.
Council members unanimously endorsed his appointment, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity.” Following constitutional procedure, Tinubu will forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A Professor of Law at the University of Jos, he currently serves as the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Jos in 1987, was called to the bar in 1988, obtained his Master’s degree (LLM) from the same university in 1993, and completed his PhD in 2007. His areas of specialization include Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
Over the years, Amupitan has held several leadership positions at the University of Jos, including 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 academia, he has served on various boards, including the Council of Legal Education, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom.
A prolific author, Amupitan has written several legal textbooks, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), and Principles of Company Law (2013).
Reacting to the appointment, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed cautious optimism, saying it would give the new INEC Chairman the “benefit of the doubt.” The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated:
“We expect Professor Amupitan to restore public confidence in the electoral system. His loyalty must lie with the Nigerian people, not the government. This is his chance to make a name his children will be proud of or to ruin a stellar career. We hope he chooses integrity.”
In Kogi State, the government and people expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for appointing one of their own. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the appointment as “a strong validation of President Tinubu’s commitment to excellence, merit, and national inclusiveness.”
He added:
“Professor Amupitan’s career as a distinguished legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria reflects his capacity for impartiality, integrity, and intellectual depth — all of which are essential to the progress of our electoral system.”
Senator Steve Karimi (Kogi West) also commended the president for “choosing one of Nigeria’s finest scholars and most principled patriots,” while Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, hailed Amupitan as “a patriotic Nigerian, strategic thinker, and detribalized leader” whose scholarship has greatly influenced democratic governance.
Governor Mutfwang further urged the Senate to confirm the nomination swiftly, expressing confidence that Amupitan’s experience and moral compass would help strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello, described the nominee as “an incorruptible academic and an astute administrator,” adding that his appointment could mark “a turning point for Nigeria’s electoral system.”
Bello said:
“Professor Amupitan is one of the finest legal minds produced by the University of Jos. His expertise in corporate governance and the law of evidence makes him uniquely qualified to lead INEC at a time when public trust in elections is fragile.”
He praised the president for making a merit-based appointment, describing Amupitan as “humble, principled, and deeply committed to institutional accountability.”
Also speaking, former EFCC Director Ayo Olowonihi described the nominee as “a man of courage, integrity, and conviction,” adding that Nigerians should expect “an electoral process defined by transparency and fairness.”
He said:
“Professor Amupitan is not the kind of man who would say ‘go to court.’ He’s the kind who would ensure due process is followed so that justice prevails within the system.”
In the same vein, the Obidient Movement congratulated the new INEC boss, expressing hope that his tenure would usher in “a new era of credibility and fairness in Nigeria’s elections.”
The Northern Ethnic Nationalities Forum also commended President Tinubu for the appointment, describing it as “a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.”
Forum Chairman, Dr. Dominic Alancha, stated:
“This appointment reflects meritocracy and national inclusiveness. We believe Professor Amupitan will steer the commission with independence, transparency, and excellence at a time when Nigeria needs visionary leadership in its electoral system.”
With his appointment now awaiting Senate confirmation, many Nigerians are watching closely — hopeful that Professor Amupitan’s leadership will restore faith in INEC and redefine the integrity of elections in the country.
