By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
On Thursday, October 16, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following his nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
Amupitan’s confirmation followed a screening exercise at the Senate, which lasted for three hours, where the lawmakers grilled Amupitan on his vision for Nigeria’s electoral processes.
With his confirmation, Amupitan will oversee the preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general election.
Amupitan’s nomination caused a buzz among civil society organisations and the general public over his alleged involvement with President Tinubu’s legal team at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and the Supreme Court, an allegation that has been confirmed to be false.
Apart from his academic qualifications, not so much is known about the new INEC helmsman, as he keeps a relatively low public profile.
In this article, Impact Nigeria Newspaper highlights other details of Prof Amupitan, who takes on the saddle as INEC chairman.
Amupitan, whose full name is Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, holds the prestigious legal title of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The 58-year-old hails from Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, with a Yoruba heritage. He is married to Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Amupitan.
Amupitan began his academic career at the University of Jos as an Assistant Lecturer in 1989, rose to the level of a Reader in 2003, and became a Professor of Law in 2008.
Until he was appointed INEC chairman, Amupitan was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU). He was also a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos.
Amupitan is an author of over 50 publications focusing on legal reforms in privatisation, corporate governance, electoral laws, petroleum industry reforms, and pension administration.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Association of Law Teachers, and has served on the Governing Councils of legal and educational institutions.
