National Council of State Approves Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as New INEC Chairman

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

On October 9, 2025, Nigeria's National Council of State unanimously approved Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the nomination during the council's meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, filling the vacancy left by the outgoing Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year tenure (2015–2025) ended this month. 

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The President has described Amupitan as an "apolitical" figure of integrity and noted that he is the first nominee from Kogi State and the North-Central region for the role.

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, aged 58, is a distinguished legal scholar from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and also serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Osun State. His expertise lies in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatization Law.