Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), a respected law scholar and administrator from Kogi State, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His appointment was approved by the National Council of State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination on Thursday.
President Tinubu described Amupitan as apolitical, competent, and the first person from Kogi State to be nominated for the position.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan is 58 years old.
He began his higher education at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, between 1982 and 1984, before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1987.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, marking the beginning of a career rooted in legal scholarship and public service.
In 1993, he earned his Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Jos and went on to obtain his PhD in 2007.
After completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation, Amupitan began his academic career in 1989.
He has since served in several leadership roles at the University of Jos.
Between 2006 and 2008, he was Head of the Department of Public Law.
From 2008 to 2014, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Law and also chaired the Committee of Deans and Directors from 2012 to 2014.
He currently holds the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.
In September 2014, Professor Amupitan was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Outside academia, Amupitan has contributed to corporate and national institutions.
He served on the boards of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, Riss Oil Limited in Abuja, the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education between 2008 and 2014.
A prolific writer and researcher, Amupitan has authored several notable works, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State described him as a man of integrity and excellence, saying his appointment reflects confidence in the North-Central region’s leadership potential.
In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.
