By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The National Council of State has unanimously approved Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The nomination of Prof. Amupitan, a 58-year-old legal scholar from Kogi State, was presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 until October 2025.
President Tinubu highlighted that Amupitan is the first individual from Kogi State to be nominated for this position and described him as apolitical.
The nomination received strong support from council members, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State endorsing the professor as a man of integrity.
In accordance with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will now forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
A professor of law at the University of Jos, Amupitan specializes in Company Law, Evidence, and Corporate Governance.
He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos. He is married with four children.