The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan to fill the position left vacant by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his tenure in October 2025. The announcement was made in a statement issued Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
President Tinubu described Amupitan as the first nominee from Kogi State in North-Central Nigeria to be considered for the role. He praised him as a man of integrity and professional excellence, adding that his nomination reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency in electoral leadership.
Members of the Council of State unanimously endorsed the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State commended Amupitan’s character and competence, describing him as a fitting choice to lead Nigeria’s electoral body into a new era.
In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation. If approved, he will officially take over from Yakubu, who served as INEC chairman for nearly a decade.
Professor Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede in Kogi State, is a seasoned legal scholar and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, he has contributed to several areas of law, including Corporate Governance and Evidence Law. He has also served on multiple educational and corporate boards and is the author of several acclaimed law books. He is married with four children.