By [Olusegun Ogunkayode], Osogbo | October 16, 2025
The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following a rigorous screening session held on Thursday, 16th October, 2025 in Abuja.
Amupitan’s confirmation comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s democratic journey, as the nation grapples with demands for greater transparency, credibility, and technological innovation in its electoral process ahead of future polls.
Professor Amupitan, a distinguished legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently expired after nearly a decade at the helm of the electoral body.
While on screening before the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Prof. Amupitan outlined his vision for INEC, pledging to strengthen the Commission’s independence, deepen the use of technology in elections, and rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“INEC must not only be independent in law but also in perception. Nigerians deserve elections that truly reflect their will,” he declared during the session.
The nominee received bipartisan praise from Senators across party lines, who lauded his impressive academic background, ethical record, and extensive experience in law and governance.
Presenting the report of the screening committee, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), described Amupitan as a “man of integrity and vision” whose appointment would “restore credibility to the electoral umpire.”
Following extensive deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the report through a voice vote presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sealing Amupitan’s confirmation.
Akpabio congratulated the new chairman, urging him to “uphold the sanctity of the ballot and protect the democratic will of Nigerians.”
The announcement has generated wide public interest, with civil society organizations, election observers, and political analysts expressing cautious optimism. Many have called on the new INEC boss to prioritize electoral reforms, timely logistics, and transparency in results transmission.
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and Yiaga Africa, both released statements welcoming the new INEC Chairman’s confirmation, urged him to “act swiftly to rebuild citizens’ trust in the Commission.”
Professor Amupitan, a seasoned academic, hails from Kogi State with a Doctorate Degree in Law from the University of Jos, where he has also served as a professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law. He is widely respected for his scholarship in constitutional and administrative law and has published several works on governance and human rights.
He has previously served as a consultant to various government institutions and international organizations on legal and electoral matters. His reputation for integrity and his non-partisan stance are seen as assets in steering INEC through Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
With his confirmation, expectations are high that Amupitan will usher in a new era of reforms aimed at improving voter registration systems, curbing vote-buying, and enhancing result management through robust technology deployment.
As Nigeria looks toward upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections, all eyes will be on Professor Amupitan to prove that INEC can truly deliver elections that reflect the people’s will.
