By Mary Onyia
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the resignation of Professor Mahmoud Yakubu on October 7, 2025.
Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement that after Yakubu completed his term as INEC chairman from 2015 to 2025 and stepped down, President Tinubu nominated Amupitan to the Federal Executive Council to fill the open position.
The statement noted that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State in North-Central Nigeria to be nominated for this role and that he is not involved in politics. Council members all supported the nomination, and Governor Ahmed Ododo praised Amupitan as a man of integrity.
“In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will forward Professor Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation,” the statement added.
Born 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.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He holds LLB, LLM, and PhD degrees from the University of Jos.
He is married with four children.