President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained that his decision to appoint Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was driven by the law professor’s integrity, apolitical character, and outstanding record of service.
Tinubu made this known on Thursday during the meeting of the National Council of State held at the State House, Abuja, where the council unanimously endorsed Amupitan’s nomination to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended earlier in the week.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Amupitan as “a man of honour, the first from Kogi State to be nominated for the position, and one who has maintained a commendably apolitical stance throughout his career.”
According to the statement, Tinubu told the council that Amupitan’s wealth of experience and moral uprightness would strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Council members, including former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and state governors, reportedly gave unanimous backing to the appointment, describing Amupitan as a man of proven integrity.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, praised the nominee’s record, saying his “track record reflects deep commitment to justice, scholarship, and national development.”
Following the council’s approval, Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional provisions.
Born 58 years ago in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
He obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Law from the University of Jos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) since 2014, Amupitan has written extensively on corporate governance, company law, and evidence law.
His notable publications include Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008) and Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013).
Beyond academia, the Kogi-born scholar has served on several national boards, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education.
Upon confirmation by the Senate, Professor Joash Amupitan will become Nigeria’s 15th INEC Chairman.