Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is a seasoned legal scholar, respected academic administrator, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria whose distinguished career in law and education spans more than three decades.
Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Amupitan has built a formidable reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds. He currently serves as a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he also functions as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Academic Journey and Early Life
Amupitan began his educational pursuit at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, between 1982 and 1984, before proceeding to the University of Jos where he earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from 1984 to 1987. Following his graduation, he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1988.
His passion for scholarship and commitment to professional excellence drove him back to the University of Jos, where he obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M) in 1993 and later his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law in 2007.
Professional and Academic Career
After completing his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in 1989, Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer, beginning a rich academic career that has shaped many of Nigeria’s leading lawyers, judges, and policymakers.
Over the years, he has held several key positions at the University of Jos, including:
- Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008)
- Dean, Faculty of Law (2008–2014)
- Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014)
Outside his university engagements, Professor Amupitan also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State, further underscoring his administrative versatility.
Legal Recognition and National Service
A specialist in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law, Amupitan was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014, joining the exclusive class of legal luminaries who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of the law and outstanding service to the profession.
He has served in several national and institutional capacities, including:
- Member, Council of Legal Education (2008–2014)
- Member, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS)
- Board Member, Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom
- Former Board Member, Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004)
Through these roles, he has contributed significantly to national policy formulation, corporate governance reforms, and legal education in Nigeria.
Publications and Scholarship
Professor Amupitan is widely published, with several authoritative texts to his credit. His books, which are frequently cited by courts, scholars, and practitioners, include:
- Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)
- Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)
- Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)
- Principles of Company Law (2013)
- An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)
His scholarly works have made him a central voice in Nigeria’s legal education system and an advocate for institutional transparency and ethical governance.
