The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his approval by the National Council of State.
Mr Amupitan was confirmed during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The confirmation followed hours of screening, during which the nominee responded to questions from lawmakers.
After his confirmation, Amupitan, who serves as deputy vice-chancellor (administration) at the University of Jos, pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission, to improve Nigeria’s electoral process.
The national council of state had earlier approved Amupitan’s nomination on October 9.
The approval was announced in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.
According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan, a law professor from Kogi State, to the council to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who led INEC from 2015 to October 2025.
“The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025,” the statement read in part.
Amupitan’s confirmation followed the appointment of May Agbamuche-Mbu as acting national chairman of INEC after Yakubu’s tenure ended.
Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu currently chairs the commission’s legal services, clearance and complaints committee.
