The National Council of State has approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The announcement was made on Thursday following a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name for consideration. The appointment comes after the completion of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure in October 2025.

Professor Amupitan, a 58-year-old legal scholar from Kogi State, becomes the first individual from the North-Central region to be nominated for the position. President Tinubu praised his credentials and emphasized his capacity to lead the commission in upholding credible elections nationwide.

The Council of State gave a unanimous nod to the nomination, signaling a smooth transition at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body.

Further details on Professor Amupitan’s plans for INEC and the timeline for his formal assumption of office are expected in the coming days.