President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially swore in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the formal commencement of his tenure as head of Nigeria’s electoral body.Continue reading....
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, shortly before an expanded meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC).
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged the new INEC Chairman to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthen the institutional framework of the Commission to ensure free, fair, and credible polls across the country.
Professor Amupitan’s appointment followed his unanimous endorsement by the National Council of State, after the President had submitted his name for consideration. His nomination was later confirmed by the Senate through a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
A Professor of Law at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014 and is highly respected for his expertise in company law, evidence law, corporate governance, and privatisation law.
With his assumption of office, the new INEC Chairman faces significant early challenges, including preparations for the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 2025 and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections set for February 2026.
Amupitan’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s democratic process in the years ahead.