Council Of State Confirms Professor Joash Amupitan As New INEC Chairman

The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination during the Council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ended in October 2025 after a decade of service.

In a statement released on Thursday, October 9, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Amupitan as “apolitical and eminently qualified” to lead the commission. He also noted that the Professor of Law from Kogi State is the first person from the state to be nominated for the role.

The Council unanimously endorsed the nomination, with Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo praising Amupitan as “a man of integrity whose wealth of experience will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.”

In line with the Constitution, President Tinubu will forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for confirmation.

Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.