By Charles Pemu 
Abuja—A new chapter is set to open at Nigeria’s election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the unanimous approval of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman nominee by the National Council of State.
President Bola Tinubu presented the legal academic to the Council to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who concluded his tenure in October 2025. Following the Council’s decision, the nomination will now be forwarded to the Senate for screening, as required by the Constitution.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development, highlighting a significant aspect of the choice: Professor Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to be nominated for the coveted role. The President reportedly assured the Council of the nominee’s apolitical stance.
Consensus and Integrity
The swift, unanimous approval by the National Council of State—a powerful advisory body comprising the President, Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all State Governors—carries significant political weight.
- Consensus and Stakeholder Buy-in: The “unanimous support” signals a rare level of national consensus around the appointment, which is critical for an institution whose credibility often faces intense scrutiny. By securing the backing of state governors and former leaders, the Presidency appears to be building a broad foundation of trust for the incoming Chairman before the Senate confirmation even begins.
- Focus on Integrity: The public endorsement by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who described Amupitan as a “man of integrity,” is a clear signal from the political class on the desired characteristics for the new electoral umpire. This emphasis on integrity serves as a pre-emptive effort to shield the nominee from early partisan attacks and focuses the narrative on his professional credentials.
- The ‘Apolitical’ Tag and North-Central Balancing: President Tinubu’s emphasis on Amupitan being apolitical, coupled with the focus on his Kogi (North-Central) origin, suggests a conscious effort towards balancing geopolitical sensitivities and promoting impartiality. After a highly contentious electoral cycle, nominating a widely respected academic with no overt partisan history is a calculated move to inject fresh neutrality into the Commission’s leadership.
Profile of the New INEC Nominee
At 58, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan brings over three decades of legal and academic experience to the challenging role of Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation.
A Distinguished Legal Scholar:
- Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN): Amupitan attained the highest rank in the legal profession in September 2014, a status often seen as a prerequisite for leading major legal institutions due to the inherent mark of professional excellence.
- Specialised Expertise: His background in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law is particularly relevant. While not traditionally an ‘electoral law’ specialist, his expertise in evidence and corporate governance speaks to an ability to manage complex legal disputes, ensure institutional accountability, and drive administrative reforms—all crucial for modern election management.
- Prolific Author: He has authored seminal legal texts such as Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008) and Principles of Company Law (2013), solidifying his reputation as a jurist and public intellectual.
A Seasoned Administrator:
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), UNIJOS: His current role demonstrates a proven capacity for high-level administration and resource management within a large, complex public institution.
- Pro-Chancellor, Joseph Ayo Babalola University: This executive governance role further burnishes his credentials in institutional leadership and policy oversight.
- Past Roles: He was a long-serving Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNIJOS (2008–2014) and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008–2014), demonstrating deep understanding of national regulatory frameworks.
The nomination of Professor Amupitan signifies a return to the tradition of appointing distinguished academics to lead INEC, following the path set by his predecessor, Professor Yakubu, and other notable academics before him. His challenge will be to translate his widely respected integrity and deep administrative capacity into renewed public trust for Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly as the nation prepares for future elections.