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Joash Amupitan
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN
Joash Ojo Amupitan is a Nigerian professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria who was sworn in as the sixth substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission in October 2025. He previously held academic and leadership roles at the University of Jos.
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About Joash Amupitan
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Nigeria · Professor of law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria
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- Professor of law
- Senior Advocate of Nigeria
At a glance
- Amupitan was sworn in as INEC's sixth substantive chairman on October 23, 2025, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
- He is a professor of law and has held the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria since 2014.
- His earlier career at the University of Jos included service as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration.
- As INEC chairman, he formally released the commission's notice and timetable for Nigeria's 2027 general elections in February 2026.
Background and legal education
Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967, and is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Jos in 1987, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, and subsequently completed an LL.M. in 1993 and a PhD in law in 2007 at the same university.
Academic and legal career
He began his academic career at the University of Jos in 1989 and later served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration. His stated areas of legal specialization include company law, the law of evidence, corporate governance and privatisation law. He was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014.
Appointment as INEC chairman
Following approval of his nomination by the National Council of State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Amupitan to chair INEC in October 2025. The Senate confirmed him on October 16, and he was sworn in on October 23 as the commission's sixth substantive chairman, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Election administration
INEC continued to identify Amupitan as its chairman in 2026, when he delivered official remarks on media engagement and election security. On February 13, 2026, he also released the commission's notice and timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Timeline
- Born in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
- Completed an LL.B. at the University of Jos.
- Called to the Nigerian Bar.
- Began his academic career at the University of Jos.
- Conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
- Confirmed by the Nigerian Senate as Chairman of INEC.
- Sworn in as the sixth substantive Chairman of INEC, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
- Formally released INEC's notice and timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Additional verified details
Current context
- Amupitan is listed by INEC as its chairman and issued official commission statements in that capacity during 2026. INEC's chairman page was available as current shortly before the as-of date. The latest directly dated official statements reviewed for this profile were issued in February 2026.
Biographical facts
- He was born on April 25, 1967, and is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria.
- He earned an LL.B. from the University of Jos in 1987, an LL.M. there in 1993 and a PhD in law from the university in 2007.
- He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
- His stated legal specialisms include company law, law of evidence, corporate governance and privatisation law.
- Before his INEC appointment, he had an academic career at the University of Jos that included service as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration.
Connections
Affiliations
Affiliations associated with Joash Amupitan.
- Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman 2025-10-23–present
- University of Jos Academic; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)
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