The Council of State has unanimously approved the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
The endorsement came during a council meeting held on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
At the meeting, the President formally presented Amupitan as his preferred nominee to lead the electoral body.
Tinubu noted that the nominee, a native of Aiyetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, is the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the position of INEC chairman. In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu described Amupitan as an “apolitical figure” with a distinguished career in legal scholarship and administration.
Council members, including former heads of state, reportedly gave their unanimous backing to the nomination.
The governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, also expressed confidence in Amupitan’s character, describing him as a “man of integrity.”
In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Prof. Joash Amupitan is a renowned professor of law and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UniJos), Plateau State.
He joined the university in 1989 as an assistant lecturer after earning his LL.B from the university in 1987 and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He later obtained an LL.M in 1993 and a PhD in Law in 2007.
His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to legal education, research, and institutional development. Over the past three decades, he has published over 50 academic works, including journal articles, book chapters, and monographs.
His teaching and research interests span public law, corporate governance, privatisation law, and the law of evidence.
Prof. Amupitan has supervised more than 30 master’s theses and a dozen doctoral dissertations, further cementing his legacy in legal scholarship.
In 2014, he was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a recognition of excellence in legal practice, academic research, and contributions to Nigerian jurisprudence.
Beyond academia, Amupitan has held numerous leadership roles.
At Unijos, he served as Head of the Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and a member of the Governing Council.
He has also contributed significantly to the development of legal education in Nigeria through national roles, including membership in the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education.
In December 2023, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ilesa, Osun State.
Challenges and Expectations
Prof. Amupitan’s nomination comes at a critical time for INEC, which faces growing calls for greater transparency, technological improvements, and efficient electoral processes.
The Commission has come under increasing public scrutiny following recent electoral cycles marked by delays, litigations, and logistical challenges.
His blend of academic insight, legal practice, and administrative experience is expected to bring a reform-driven, disciplined, and stabilizing leadership to INEC.
