President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a distinguished Professor of Law, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This significant appointment received unanimous approval from the National Council of State (NCS) during its meeting held on Thursday at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja. Following this endorsement, President Tinubu is set to forward Professor Amupitan's name to the Senate for screening and confirmation, a constitutional prerequisite for assuming the role. Professor Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.

Professor Amupitan, 58, originates from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, situated in the North-Central region of Nigeria. President Tinubu highlighted to the Council that Amupitan's nomination marks a notable first, as he is the initial individual from Kogi State to be nominated for the prestigious position of INEC Chairman. The President further underscored Amupitan's apolitical stance, a characteristic that was affirmed by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, who lauded him as a "man of integrity."

A distinguished academic, Professor Amupitan currently serves as a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, and is also an alumnus of the institution. His educational journey began at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, followed by the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987, where he earned his law degree. He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, before pursuing higher academic qualifications, obtaining an LLM from UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007. His academic career commenced in 1989, immediately after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation between 1988 and 1989. Professor Amupitan specializes in critical legal areas including Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, achieving the esteemed rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

Professor Amupitan holds several key leadership positions, notably serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos. Additionally, he concurrently acts as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His extensive leadership experience within UNIJOS includes roles such as Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors from 2012 to 2014, Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2008 to 2014, and Head of Public Law from 2006 to 2008. Beyond his academic commitments, he has contributed significantly to various organizations, serving as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education from 2008 to 2014. He also previously held a board position at Riss Oil Limited, Abuja, from 1996 to 2004.

A prolific legal scholar, Professor Amupitan has authored numerous authoritative books on law. His published works include "Corporate Governance: Models and Principles" (2008), "Documentary Evidence in Nigeria" (2008), "Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria" (2013), "Principles of Company Law" (2013), and "An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria" (2014). Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan is married and is a father to four children.

The NCS meeting, during which Amupitan’s nomination was approved, began at approximately 1:35 PM, presided over by President Tinubu. He was joined by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who serves as the council's vice-chairman, alongside many of the 36 state governors. Conspicuously absent from the physical meeting were former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as ex-Head of State General Yakubu Gowon. However, former Heads of State Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar participated virtually. Beyond the crucial INEC appointment, the NCS, constitutionally mandated to advise the president, also deliberated on other pressing national concerns, including strategies to address the surge in banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence across northern and central states, aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.