The National Council of State on Thursday, 9th October, 2025, approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

His nomination followed Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit on Tuesday after completing two terms as chairman of the electoral body.

Professor Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967 and hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He joined the services of the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the Academic ranks to attain the position of Reader in 2003 and Professor in 2008.

He was conferred with the revered position of Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN in 2014 in recognition of his achievements in the Law profession, among many other professional accolades.

Professor Joash Amupitan is a Professor of Law with specialisation and experience in Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law and Privatisation Law.

He obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1987 at the University of Jos and then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where, on successful completion of his Barrister at Law programme, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

He later enrolled for a Master in Law programme at the University of Jos, graduating in 1993. Amupitan acquired a Ph.D in Law, also from the University of Jos in 2007.

Professor Amupitan has held several Academic and Administrative positions including Representative of the Faculty of Law in several Boards in the University; Head of Department, Public Law; Dean, Faculty of Law; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors, Member, Governing Council, University of Jos and Member, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies as well as Council of Legal Education among many others.

He is a member of several Professional Bodies and Associations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM, and National Association of Law Teachers, Professor. Amupitan is a seasoned Legal Luminary equipped with over Thirty-Four (34) years of Academic and Professional experience, in addition to other community services he is rendering.

Professor Amupitan’s research interests are diverse and wide ranging, from providing the Legal Framework for the Privatization of Public Enterprises in Nigeria, Reform of Electoral Laws in Nigeria, to the Reform of Privatisation Law in Nigeria and Petroleum Industries Law Reform in Nigeria, among others.