Samuel Omang
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appointment, confirmed by the National Council of State on Thursday, follows the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu from the electoral body.
A statement by Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga noted that Amupitan’s nomination marks the first time a native of Kogi State will lead Nigeria’s election management agency. The law professor hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Amupitan has spent over three decades in academia and legal practice. He joined the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer and became a Professor of Law in 2008. All his academic degrees—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in Law—were obtained from the same institution. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
Amupitan’s professional interests include Law of Evidence, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession.
Beyond academia, Amupitan has held several administrative and national positions. He has served as 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. He was also Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State, and represented the University of Jos on the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
He has authored and co-authored over 50 academic publications, supervised numerous doctoral and master’s students, and served on several corporate boards including Integrated Dairies Limited and Riss Oil Limited.
Amupitan is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and they have four children.