The National Council of State has given its nod to the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from Kogi State as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his 10-year tenure in October 2025.
Tinubu described the nominee as a non-partisan legal scholar and the first individual from Kogi, in the North Central region, to be nominated for the position.
Members of the Council unanimously backed the President’s recommendation, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State praising Amupitan’s character and commitment to integrity.
In line with constitutional procedure, the President will forward his name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Amupitan, 58, is a Professor of Law and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos. He also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014, Amupitan is renowned for his expertise in Company Law, Corporate Governance, and Law of Evidence. He has authored several legal texts and held notable administrative roles at the University of Jos, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors.
He hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State and is married with four children.