By Correspondent in Abuja.
The National Council of State has given unanimous approval to the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central region as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This is contained in a statement signed by By Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Onanuga,president Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting on Thursday, following the completion of tenure by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
The President described Amupitan as a distinguished academic and legal luminary of impeccable integrity, noting that he is the first person from Kogi State and the wider North-Central region to be nominated for the position since the commission’s establishment.
The Council, comprising former presidents, vice presidents, serving governors, and other top officials, unanimously supported the nomination, with Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, commending the choice as “a fitting recognition of merit and character.”
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu is expected to forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and also serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
His educational journey began at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982–1984), followed by University of Jos (1984–1987), where he obtained his LLB degree. He was called to the Bar in 1988 after attending the Nigerian Law School.
He is married with four children.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
