Professor Joash Amupitan on Thursday, October 23, 2025, began his duties as the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Amupitan began duties as INEC Chairman after a swearing-in ceremony presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
Amupitan’s swearing in by the President came a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment following a screening session on October 16.
During the swearing-in, Tinubu, in his address, charged Amupitan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and electoral process as well as strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
Tinubu stated: “As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, your nomination to the important role and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate is a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.
“The significant achievement marked the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism.
“Our democracy has come a long way. In 25 years, we have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly our electoral system, through innovation and reforms. We have learned a great deal along the way, and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago.
“We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex, multifaceted society.
“The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy, safeguarding the people’s exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral system must be beyond reproach. Our elections must be free, fair, and credible.
“We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow. To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected.
“All aspects of the process, from registration to campaigning, immediate access, voting, and counting should be transparent, non-violent, and credible.
“No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against official setbacks.
“I therefore charge you, Professor, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.”
Also, speaking after officially becoming the National Chairman of the INEC, pledged to defend Nigeria’s electoral laws and uphold the Constitution.
He said this while speaking to journalists shortly after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
“As you are aware, I have just taken the oath of allegiance and also the oath as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“I reaffirm that I will defend the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as far as they relate to the electoral system.
“Not only will I ensure that this is done, I will also engage all stakeholders. No matter how you measure success, you need all stakeholders to succeed.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Amupitan began duties as INEC Chairman following the conclusion of the tenure of former Chairman Mahmood Yakubu.
Below is a brief profile of Professor Joash Amupitan;
Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
Until his appointment, he served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles.
He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
