Tinubu swears in Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment following a rigorous screening session on October 16.
Before the event, Amupitan arrived at the State House dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries and guests ahead of his swearing-in scheduled for 1 p.m.
The professor of Law was accompanied by some presidential aides.
During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old law professor vowed to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system and conduct elections that reflect the true will of the people.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally return,” Amupitan told lawmakers.
President Tinubu, in his charge to the new INEC boss, urged him to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthen the institutional capacity of the commission.
Amupitan, who was nominated by Tinubu and approved by the National Council of State, succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive head of INEC since its establishment.
He has pledged to prioritize transparency, reform the Electoral Act, and ensure credible elections across the country.
He began his professional journey in Bauchi State, where he served at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation during his NYSC year (1988–1989). Rising quickly in academia, his ascent was meteoric, from lecturer to Reader in just 14 years, and to Professor of Law by 2008.
At the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Amupitan once chaired both the Committee of Deans and the Faculty of Law, leading two of the university’s most influential academic organs. He later played a key role in modernising law curricula and supervision standards across northern Nigeria.
Despite his national profile, Amupitan remains a homegrown intellectual, having earned all his degrees and career promotions within Nigeria, without foreign study or shortcuts.
Joash Amupitan is also one of the youngest Senior Advocates of Nigeria from the academic community, combining courtroom prestige with deep scholarly impact.
A native of Ayetoro Gbede, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan’s rise has put his hometown on Nigeria’s electoral map.
He is deeply family-oriented, often crediting his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, for her support. Together, they are raising four children.
With his swearing-in complete, Professor Amupitan has officially assumed duties as INEC Chairman, succeeding Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive head of the electoral body since its establishment.
