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BREAKING: Tinubu swears in Amupitan as new INEC Chair

Published

9 months ago

October 23, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.

At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.

“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.

Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.

During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.

“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.

He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”

Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.

Profile

Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.

He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.

After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.

Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.

He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.

Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).

Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and has four children.

Related Topics:Amupitan Featured INEC Chair Tinubu

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Lagos, FG Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting Over Coastal Highway Flooding

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Charles Flames

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The Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works are meeting with key stakeholders today to address flooding concerns along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.

The meeting, directed by President Bola Tinubu, brings together officials from the Lagos State Government, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders to agree on lasting solutions.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the coastal highway did not cause the flooding. Instead, he says the road’s culverts have improved the flow of stormwater, while existing drainage problems and poor waste disposal remain major causes of flooding in affected communities.

Umahi announced plans to build new drainage channels and service lanes, warning that some buildings will be demolished to make way for the project.

He also ordered stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, street trading and illegal parking along the corridor.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, backed the minister’s position, saying experts had shown lawmakers that flooding in Lagos predates the coastal highway.

The Federal Government says the meeting will produce a coordinated plan to improve drainage, protect infrastructure and reduce future flooding.

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Senate hails Nigerian Army at 163

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), said this year’s celebration marks 163 years of the Nigerian Army’s service to the nation.

Published

5 hours ago

July 6, 2026

OCHEFA

22 Views

The Senate on Monday congratulated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, officers, soldiers and veterans of the Nigerian Army on the occasion of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, describing the anniversary as a significant milestone in the country’s military history.

The upper chamber also urged officers and soldiers to remain professional, steadfast and committed to their constitutional responsibilities, assuring them of the Senate’s continued support.

He noted that for more than a century, the Army has remained at the forefront of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.

Commenting on the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army,” Yar’Adua said it reflects the Army’s constitutional mandate and the importance of strengthening its relationship with the public.

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NGE to host Lateef Jakande 2026 Memorial Lecture: “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.”

The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture is an annual lecture series instituted by the NGE in 2023 to honour the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late iconic journalist, who was one-time President of the Guild, former Lagos State Governor, and former Minister of Works.

Published

6 hours ago

July 6, 2026

OCHEFA

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Photo: Eze Anaba (President) NGE

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) will on July 23, 2026 host the 4th Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture in Lagos.

In a press statement signed by Eze Anaba (President) and Onuoha Ukeh (General Secretary), the lecture will holds at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with theme: “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.” Time is 11am.

The Guild said that Prof Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, will deliver the lecture, with former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as Chairman. Expected at the lecture is Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; elders of the Guild, including former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba and publisher of Vanguard group of newspapers, Uncle Sam Amuka; top government officials, managing directors and editors of print, electronic and online publications and civil society groups.

Also expected at the lecture are Mass Communication and Journalism lecturers and students of Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos.

The statement said that the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture brings together media leaders, public officials, and civil society to reflect on nation-building, governance, and the role of the press, describing it as “a fitting tribute to Alhaji Jakande’s legacy, which embodies dedication to journalism, governance, and service to Nigeria.”

It added: “The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture continues to serve as a platform for thought leadership, policy debate, and national introspection, while keeping alive the standard Jakande set in journalism and public service.

“The Guild also said that University students are invited to the lecture every year for them “learn the value of service, excellence and dedication to journalism and public service as well as for them to connect with practising journalists who could serve as their role models in the profession.”

The Jakande Memorial Lecture started in 2023, with a lecture delivered by Chief Felix Adenaike, Fellow of the NGE.

In 2024, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay and Arise Mews TV, spoke on “Rapid Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies.”

The third edition last year had the theme: “Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society” and delivered by Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed.