President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The nomination, which was confirmed by the National Council of State on Thursday, follows the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who had led the electoral body since 2015.
According to a statement issued by Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, the appointment makes Professor Amupitan the first person from Kogi State to head Nigeria’s election management body.
Born in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.
He began his academic career at the institution in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer, became a Reader in 2003, and rose to the rank of Professor of Law in 2008.
All of his degrees—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in Law—were obtained from the University of Jos, underscoring his deep-rooted academic ties to the institution.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing his programme at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
Amupitan’s professional interests span Law of Evidence, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.
He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014, in recognition of his significant contributions to legal scholarship and practice.
Within the University of Jos, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Law, Head of the Department of Public Law, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors.
He has also represented the university on key national bodies such as the Council of Legal Education and the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).
Until his nomination, Professor Amupitan was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A prolific academic, Professor Amupitan has authored and co-authored over 50 scholarly publications focusing on corporate governance, electoral reform, and petroleum industry legislation.
He has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses, nurturing a new generation of legal scholars.
His professional affiliations include membership in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and the National Association of Law Teachers (NALT).
Outside the university system, he has served on several corporate boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited, Riss Oil Limited, and the NIALS Governing Council.
Professor Amupitan is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and they are blessed with four children.
