BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, OCTOBER 09, 2025 | 04:06 PM
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a renowned law scholar from Kogi State, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His appointment followed the unanimous approval of the National Council of State after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented his name on Thursday.
President Tinubu described him as apolitical, competent, and the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the position.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan is 58 years old.
He began his higher education at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984.
He later attended the University of Jos, where he earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1987.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
Amupitan obtained his Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Jos in 1993 and earned his PhD in 2007.
He began his academic career in 1989 after completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.
Over the years, he has held key positions at the University of Jos.
He served as Head of the Department of Public Law from 2006 to 2008.
He was Dean of the Faculty of Law between 2008 and 2014.
He also chaired the Committee of Deans and Directors from 2012 to 2014.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.
Amupitan became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
He also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Outside the university, he has served on the boards of several organizations.
He was a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom and Riss Oil Limited, Abuja.
He also served on the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education from 2008 to 2014.
Professor Amupitan is an accomplished author and researcher.
His publications include Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State described him as a man of integrity and competence.
He said Amupitan’s appointment reflects confidence in the North-Central region’s capacity for national leadership.
In line with the constitution, President Tinubu will forward his name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
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