President Tinubu May Announce Prof. Joash Amupitan As New INEC Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

As Professor Mahmood Yakubu took a bow as the National Chairman of the Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, it has been gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to announce Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, as the new Chairman of the Electoral Body.

Mahmood spent two terms as INEC Chairman. He was appointed  by then President, Late Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015 and his tenure is set to expire in November 2025. He proceeded on terminal leave on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 and handed over to Agbamuche-Mbu in Acting Capacity.

Sources in Aso Rock disclosed that the appointment of Amupitan is set to be announced when President Tinubu hosts the Council of State meeting on Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

Amupitan is a legal scholar and administrator with over 34 years of academic and professional experience.

He is a native of Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, who is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and together they are blessed with four children.

He began his academic journey at the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer, and  steadily rose through the academic ranks, becoming a Reader in 2003 and a Professor of Law in 2008.

Over the years, he has held several key administrative positions, including Head of Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and a member of the University’s Governing Council.

He has also served on the Governing Councils of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education. Today, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.

In December 2023, Professor Amupitan was inaugurated as the second Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), thereby affording him affiliation with the school.

His areas of specialisation include the Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Privatisation Law.

Amupitan is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the National Association of Law Teachers.