On October 9, 2025, the Nigerian Council of States approved the appointment of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission.
The appointment of Prof. Amupitan was coming after the expiration of the tenure of the former INEC boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
WITHIN NIGERIA reporter went through the profile of the new INEC boss and discovered a towering figure both in academic and professionalism in Prof. Amupitan.
10 things you should know about Prof. Joash Amupitan.
1.He was born less than 60 years ago
Born in April 1967, the 58-year-old Professor Amupitan hails from Aiyetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
2. He hails from North-Central (Kogi state)
The new Electoral umpire boss Prof. Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. This appointment made him the only INEC boss from that geopolitical zone since the return of democracy in 1999.
3. He is an alumnus of University of Jos
He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) degree in 1987 at the University of Jos. After his call to the bar in 1988, Amupitan joined the UNIJOS in 1989 as an assistant lecturer. He earned his Master of Laws (LL.M) in 1993, and later earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in law in 2007
4. He was the best graduating student in law faculty (1987)
During his undergraduate years at the University of Jos, Amupitan graduated top of his class in 1987, winning several awards. He won the Richard Akinjide’s Prize and the University of Jos Chancellor’s Prize
5. The sixth Professor to occupy that seat
Prof. Joash Amupitan is the sixth INEC chairman since the return of democracy in 1999 and fifth Nigerian professor to occupy the seat of INEC chairmanship. This is after the regimes of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu,Prof. Maurice Iwu, Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
6. He is Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
Prof. Amupitan attained the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in 2014. This is the legal profession’s highest recognition.
This attainment, no doubt acknowledged his excellence in practice, research, and contributions to jurisprudence.
It also has placed him an academic and a practitioner who bridges theory and legal reality.
7. He is also a professor of law
Aside his attainment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), he is also a Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where he has lectured and mentored generations of lawyers and academics for more three decades.
8. He is DVC, Administration, UNIJOS
Prof. Amupitan has held several leadership positions at UNIJOS. These positions include Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014), and Head of Public Law (2006–2008).
Before his appointment as INEC chairman, He was serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the university.
9. He is also a Pro-Chancellor of Ayo Babalola University
Apart from UNIJOS where he has held many enviable positions, he also spreads his leadership tentacles in other universities.
In December 2023, Amupitan was appointed pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ilesa, Osun state.
10. He is married with four children
Professor Amupitan is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the National Association of Law Teachers.
Outside academics, he has served on several boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited, Riss Oil Limited, and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council.
He is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and they have four children.
