Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State has been unanimously approved by the National Council of State as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This significant appointment sees him succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his 10-year tenure spanning two terms, from 2015 until October 2025.

The nomination process gained attention through exclusive reports from SaharaReporters. On September 26, 2025, SaharaReporters exclusively identified Amupitan as the likely successor to Yakubu. Subsequently, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, SaharaReporters further reported that President Bola Tinubu was set to appoint Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman and had scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for that Thursday to formalize the decision.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed on Thursday that the Council of State had indeed approved Amupitan's nomination. During the meeting held at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu presented Amupitan to the council, describing him as apolitical and notably, the first nominee from Kogi State to occupy this crucial position. Council members gave their full and unanimous support to the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo praising Amupitan as “a man of integrity.” Following this approval, President Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening, in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State, within Nigeria's North-Central zone. He is a distinguished Professor of Law and an alumnus of the University of Jos. His academic specializations include Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He was conferred the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014, recognizing his profound legal expertise and contributions to the legal profession.

Born on April 25, 1967, Amupitan pursued his foundational education at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and subsequently attended the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. Further advancing his academic qualifications, he earned a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Jos in 1993 and a PhD in 2007. His academic career commenced in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation from 1988 to 1989.

Currently, Professor Amupitan serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos. He also holds the esteemed position of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His extensive leadership experience at UNIJOS includes significant roles such as Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), and Head of Public Law (2006–2008).

Beyond his academic pursuits, Amupitan has contributed his expertise to various boards and councils. He has served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom and Riss Oil Limited in Abuja (1996-2004). He is also a respected member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council and the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014). Notably, he is both a kinsman and has served as a longtime legal counsel for Senator Dino Melaye.

A prolific author, Professor Amupitan has penned numerous influential 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 "Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria" (2014). He is married and a father of four children.