Council Of State Approves Tinubu’s Nominee Amupitan As New INEC Chairman

Council of State Endorses Professor Joash Amupitan as New INEC Chairman

In a landmark decision that signals a new era for Nigeria’s electoral leadership, the National Council of State has unanimously approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominee, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The appointment, announced on October 9, 2025, follows the conclusion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s decade-long tenure, which ended earlier that month.

President Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination during the Council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, emphasizing the nominee’s apolitical stance and distinguished academic and legal career.

Notably, Amupitan becomes the first individual from Kogi State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, to be nominated for the INEC chairmanship. His nomination was met with unanimous support from Council members, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing him as “a man of integrity.”

Professor Amupitan, aged 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a seasoned academic and legal luminary, currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He also holds the position of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His academic journey began at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and continued at the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and attained the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014.

Throughout his career, Amupitan has held several key academic roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Law, Head of the Department of Public Law, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at the University of Jos. His expertise spans Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. Beyond academia, he has served on various national and corporate boards, including the Council of Legal Education, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Integrated Dairies Limited, and Riss Oil Limited.

Amupitan is also a prolific author, with notable publications such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles, Documentary Evidence in Nigeria, Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria, Principles of Company Law, and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria. His scholarly contributions have earned him recognition as one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds.

Following the Council’s endorsement, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening, in accordance with constitutional provisions. Until the formal swearing-in, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior INEC National Commissioner, will serve in an acting capacity to ensure continuity.

This transition comes at a critical juncture, with the Anambra State governorship election on the horizon. Analysts suggest that the timing of Amupitan’s appointment is strategic, allowing him to establish leadership and institutional stability ahead of major electoral engagements.

While some observers speculate that Yakubu’s departure may have been expedited due to internal concerns, the presidency has maintained that the transition aligns with constitutional timelines and national interest.