Nigeria’s electoral body has a new chief. On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s electoral administration.
His confirmation followed hours of screening in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, during which lawmakers grilled the law professor on his plans for electoral reform and INEC’s independence. When Senate President Godswill Akpabio eventually put the question to a voice vote, the approval was unanimous.
“The nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, for appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is hereby approved,” Akpabio announced to a round of applause.
Amupitan’s journey to the top of Nigeria’s electoral body began weeks ago when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated him during the National Council of State meeting. The Council subsequently endorsed the choice, clearing the path for his Senate screening.
He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who presided over two general elections during his decade-long tenure and bowed out in October 2025.
A Scholar’s Promise
Soft-spoken yet firm, Amupitan used his screening session to outline an ambitious vision for Nigeria’s electoral process. He promised to uphold INEC’s independence and restore public confidence shaken by controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election.
“We will audit INEC systems to understand what went wrong with the Result Viewing (IReV) portal during the 2023 election. Nigerians deserve transparency, and we must restore their trust,” he told lawmakers.
He also hinted at deploying technology to tackle logistical challenges that have long plagued elections in remote areas.
“We can invest more in logistics and even deploy drones—with necessary safeguards—to ensure election materials reach every polling unit. No voter will be left behind,” he said.
For Amupitan, the task ahead is “a call to national service.” He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the National Council of State for the confidence reposed in him.
Breaking New Ground
Beyond his professional credentials, Amupitan’s appointment carries symbolic weight. He becomes the first person from the North-Central region to head INEC since the electoral commission’s establishment.
Colleagues describe him as a meticulous academic and an apolitical figure—a rare blend in Nigeria’s charged political climate.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan has spent over three decades shaping minds at the University of Jos, where he currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He also doubles as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
An Academic of Distinction
After earning his LL.B from the University of Jos in 1987, Amupitan was called to the Bar in 1988 and obtained his LL.M (1993) and Ph.D. (2007) from the same institution.
He has held key academic and administrative positions, including:
Dean, Faculty of Law, UNIJOS (2008–2014)
Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Member, Council of Legal Education (2008–2014)
Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom
His scholarship in corporate governance, evidence law, and company law has earned him respect in academic and professional circles. Among his published works are Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
Elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014, Amupitan is also known for his calm temperament, attention to detail, and commitment to institutional integrity.
Looking Ahead
As he settles into the hot seat, expectations are high. Civil society groups, political observers, and millions of Nigerian voters will watch closely to see how the new INEC Chairman navigates the complex intersection of law, politics, and public trust.
For Professor Joash Amupitan, the task is clear: to rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s elections, strengthen the credibility of the electoral process, and ensure that every vote truly counts.
