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President Tinubu appoints Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as new INEC Chairman.
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National Council of State confirms his nomination following a closed-door session.
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Amupitan, a respected academic, lawyer, and administrator, brings decades of legal and governance experience.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appointment was announced on Thursday by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, following the National Council of State’s approval of the nomination.
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“The National Council of State has approved Amupitan’s nomination,” Onanuga confirmed in a statement.
PROFILE: 10 FACTS ABOUT PROF. JOASH AMUPITAN
1. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
Professor Amupitan was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in August 2014, marking his recognition among the nation’s elite legal practitioners.
2. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos
As of October 2022, he serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, where he has taught law for over three decades.
3. Born in Kogi State (1967)
Amupitan hails from Aiyetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
4. Nigeria’s Best Graduating Law Student (1987)
He emerged as Best Graduating Law Student at the University of Jos, winning several academic awards, including the Richard Akinjide Prize and University Chancellor’s Prize.
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5. Holds Three Law Degrees
Amupitan earned his LL.B (Hons) in 1987, BL from the Nigerian Law School in 1988, LL.M in 1993, and a Ph.D. in Law in 2007 — all from the University of Jos.
6. Appointed Professor of Law (2008)
He joined the University of Jos as an Assistant Lecturer in 1989 and became a Professor of Law on October 1, 2008. He has since supervised multiple postgraduate theses and received the Teslim Elias Award for Meritorious Service in 2014.
7. Expert in Company and Corporate Governance Law
His teaching and research areas include Company Law, Corporate Governance, and Law of Evidence — fields in which he has published widely.
8. Experienced Legal Administrator
Between 2006 and 2012, he served as Head of the Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, and was re-elected for a second term as Dean in 2012.
9. Active in Public Service
Amupitan has participated in national legal reforms and governance, serving on Vision 2020 Committees and Judicial Commissions of Inquiry, including the Namu Town Conflict Panel.
10. Scholar of Global Repute
With over 70 scholarly publications, he has served as an external examiner for universities in Nigeria, Malaysia, and South Africa. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University.
The appointment of Prof. Amupitan follows the end of tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose 10-year leadership at INEC spanned two administrations and three general elections.
