Who is Joash Amupitan: Nigeria’s political and academic circles are abuzz following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The appointment, confirmed by the National Council of State on Thursday, comes after the exit of former INEC boss, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
For many, this is not just another federal appointment, it marks the first time a native of Kogi State will head Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
Born in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Prof. Amupitan is not new to public service or leadership. He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he has spent over 30 years shaping minds and institutions.
Education: Joash Amupitan
A product of the same university where he now teaches, Amupitan earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Law from the University of Jos. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, after completing his training at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
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His academic journey began in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer, rising through the ranks to become a Reader in 2003 and a Professor of Law in 2008. Over the years, his teaching and research have focused on Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, Law of Evidence, and Privatisation Law; areas that have defined his reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest legal minds.
Amupitan’s excellence earned him the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title in 2014, a recognition of his contributions to the legal profession and the development of legal scholarship in Nigeria.
Beyond teaching, the new INEC Chairman has played significant administrative roles. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, Head of the Department of Public Law, and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at the University of Jos.
He has also represented the institution in national capacities, including at the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, where he once served on the Governing Council. Until his nomination, he was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
With over 50 academic publications and a track record of supervising several doctoral and master’s theses, Prof. Amupitan is deeply respected in academic and legal circles for his intellectual rigour and integrity.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and the National Association of Law Teachers (NALT).
Outside the lecture halls, he has lent his expertise to corporate boards such as Integrated Dairies Limited, Riss Oil Limited, and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council.
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Personal Life of Joash Amupitan
Professor Amupitan is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and together they have four children.
As he steps into one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised public offices, many will be watching to see how his blend of academic discipline, legal expertise, and administrative experience shapes the next chapter of Nigeria’s electoral system.
