Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing a major transition as Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) has been nominated as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His appointment, approved by the National Council of State and awaiting Senate confirmation, has sparked nationwide interest, both for his academic pedigree and his reputation for integrity.
Professor Amupitan, 58, is the first individual from Kogi State and the North-Central region to be nominated for the position. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while presenting his name to the Council, described him as “apolitical, deeply knowledgeable, and an embodiment of integrity.”
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan’s journey from a young law student to one of Nigeria’s foremost legal scholars is marked by academic brilliance and consistent public service. He began his higher education at Kwara State Polytechnic before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LLB, LLM, and PhD in Law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 and later attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.
Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Professor Amupitan also doubles as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. His leadership record in academia includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).
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Over the years, he has become one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds, specializing in Company Law, Evidence Law, Corporate Governance, and Privatization Law. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he has served on the boards of several notable institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Integrated Dairies Limited, and Riss Oil Limited.
An accomplished author, Professor Amupitan has written influential legal texts used across Nigerian universities, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013). His works have shaped generations of lawyers and continue to guide corporate governance discourse in the country.
Beyond his professional life, Amupitan is described as a devoted family man. He is married and blessed with four children.
As he prepares to lead INEC, expectations are high that Professor Amupitan’s experience, discipline, and nonpartisan reputation will bring renewed credibility and reform to Nigeria’s electoral process. Many observers believe his leadership could mark the beginning of a new era for free, fair, and transparent elections in Africa’s largest democracy.
