President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The announcement was made by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, following the approval of Amupitan’s nomination by the National Council of State on Thursday.

President Tinubu said the appointment follows the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure, who had served since 2015. He noted that Amupitan, from Kogi State, is the first person from the North-Central region to hold the position and is regarded as apolitical. The president added that the nominee’s name will be sent to the Senate for screening in line with constitutional requirements.

Professor Amupitan, 58, is a distinguished academic and legal expert currently serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos. A specialist in Company Law and Corporate Governance, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 and has authored several books on Nigerian law.