New INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan: The Legal Scholar Poised to Redefine Nigeria’s Electoral System
PulseNets reports that new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is set to bring integrity, reform, and transparency to Nigeria’s electoral system.
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, recently appointed as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is not just another bureaucratic figure but a towering legal scholar, seasoned academic administrator, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) whose distinguished contributions to law and education span well over three decades.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan has, over the years, built a solid reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds. He currently serves as a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he also doubles as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Academic Journey and Early Life
According to documents obtained by PulseNets, Professor Amupitan began his educational pursuit at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, between 1982 and 1984. He later proceeded to the University of Jos, where he bagged his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree between 1984 and 1987.
After completing his studies, he attended the Nigerian Law School and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1988. His love for knowledge and scholarship told PulseNets that this was just the beginning of his lifelong commitment to the legal profession.
In 1993, he obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Jos and later capped his academic pursuit with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law from the same institution in 2007.
Professional and Academic Career
PulseNets learnt that after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in 1989, Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer, marking the start of an illustrious academic journey that has shaped several of Nigeria’s top lawyers, judges, and policymakers.
Over the years, he has served in key administrative positions within the university, including:
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Head, Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
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Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
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Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Beyond his roles at the University of Jos, Professor Amupitan currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State— a position that further reflects his administrative versatility and leadership depth.
Legal Recognition and National Service
A specialist in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, Professor Amupitan earned the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014. This honour, PulseNets reported, placed him among Nigeria’s elite class of legal minds who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of the law and rendered distinguished service to the profession.
He has served in several national and institutional capacities, including:
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Member, Council of Legal Education (2008–2014)
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Member, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS)
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Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom
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Former Board Member, Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004)
Through these roles, Amupitan has significantly influenced policy formulation, corporate governance, and legal education reform across Nigeria.
Publications and Scholarship
A respected academic with deep scholarly influence, Professor Amupitan has authored several groundbreaking legal texts that continue to shape both academia and courtroom practice in Nigeria.
Some of his major works include:
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Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)
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Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)
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Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)
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Principles of Company Law (2013)
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An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)
His books are widely cited by judges, lawyers, and academics, reinforcing his place as a leading voice in Nigeria’s legal education ecosystem.
A Visionary Legal Mind
A close associate told PulseNets that Professor Amupitan’s appointment is “a strategic move to restore professional integrity, institutional transparency, and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral management system.”
Also Read: Nigerians Must Know Candidates for New INEC Chairman — SERAP Insists
As he assumes office at INEC, expectations are high that his wealth of experience, academic discipline, and commitment to justice will reposition the commission for credible, technology-driven elections in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
