Council of State Approves New INEC Chairman

Kindly Share This

By Odekunle Doyin

The National Council of State on Thursday approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This follows the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose two-term tenure ended in October 2025, after nearly a decade of overseeing Nigeria’s electoral body.

Tinubu Presents Nominee to Council

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Prof. Amupitan to the Council of State as his preferred nominee to head the electoral commission.

The President noted that the appointment was historic, describing Amupitan as the first person from the North-Central state of Kogi to be nominated for the position.

“Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity,” the statement read.

In line with constitutional provisions, Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Who Is Prof. Joash Amupitan?

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, aged 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He is a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where he also earned his LLB, LLM, and PhD degrees.

Amupitan was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

His academic specialisations include Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.

Distinguished Academic and Administrator

Amupitan began his academic career in 1989, after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.

Over the years, he has held several leadership positions at UNIJOS, including: