Tinubu Appoints New INEC Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking a historic milestone as the first indigene of Kogi State and the North-Central region to lead the electoral body. The National Council of State unanimously approved Amupitan’s nomination during a closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, paving the way for his Senate confirmation.

The appointment follows the conclusion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure on October 8, 2025, after overseeing the 2019 and 2023 general elections. Tinubu praised Amupitan as a “man of integrity and a nonpartisan professional,” highlighting his extensive legal and academic credentials.

Amupitan, aged 58, is expebrings a wealth of experience to INEC. Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, he holds a BSc in Law (1987), an LLM (1993), and a PhD in Law (2007) from the University of Jos. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan has built a distinguished career as a legal scholar and practitioner, specializing in the Law of Evidence, Corporate Law, Governance, and Privatization. Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, he has also held significant roles, including membership in the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014) and chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University since 2023.

The new INEC chairman’s legal portfolio is equally robust. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, Amupitan has represented high-profile clients, including Senator Dino Melaye, for over a decade. He serves on the board of Integrated Dairies Limited and is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. His academic journey began as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Jos in 1989, rising to Reader in 2003 and Professor of Law in 2008. Colleagues and observers describe him as a meticulous and principled figure, qualities President Tinubu emphasized as critical for steering INEC through Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape.

As Amupitan awaits Senate confirmation, expectations are high for his leadership in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, his tenure will be closely watched, especially given ongoing debates about electoral reforms and public trust in INEC. The appointment has sparked varied reactions, with some praising Tinubu’s choice of a seasoned academic and lawyer, while others await concrete policy directions from the new chairman. For now, Amupitan’s immediate task is to build on Yakubu’s legacy while addressing challenges like voter apathy and technological integration in elections.