President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appointment was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential spokesman.
According to Onanuga, the National Council of State approved Amupitan’s nomination during its meeting.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit,” the statement read.
“Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025. President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, a North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.
“Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
“In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.”
Amupitan, 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, where he also earned his law degree.
A renowned legal scholar, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
