President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to a State House press release signed by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the appointment was unanimously approved by the National Council of State during its meeting on Thursday.
Amupitan’s nomination follows the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025. President Tinubu described the nominee as apolitical and the first person from Kogi State in the North-Central region to be considered for the position.
Recall, Dockaysworld reported that Yakubu had handed over to May Agbamuche as the acting INEC chairman as she was the oldest serving commissioner at the commission. She will continue to serve in that capacity until the official swearing in of Professor Amupitan.
Council members endorsed the choice, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity. The President is expected to forward his name to the Senate for confirmation.
Amupitan, 58, is a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, he has held several leadership roles in academia and authored multiple books on corporate governance and evidence law.
