The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His confirmation took place on Thursday during plenary, which was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following a detailed screening session in which Amupitan answered questions from lawmakers about electoral reforms and institutional integrity.
Amupitan’s confirmation comes shortly after his nomination was approved by the National Council of State on October 9, following his presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Amupitan, a respected law professor from Kogi State, was selected to strengthen transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s electoral system.
Following his confirmation, the newly appointed INEC Chairman—who currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos—vowed to work closely with institutions like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enhance voter registration and election credibility.
His appointment also follows the recent tenure completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, under whose leadership INEC oversaw several general and off-cycle elections since 2015.
In the interim, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who heads the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee of the Commission, had been serving as Acting INEC Chairman pending Amupitan’s confirmation.
