Abuja, Nigeria — The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, is set to formally assume office on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to an internal communication issued by Deputy Director of Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, on behalf of the Director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), the inaugural meeting between Prof. Amupitan and INEC directors has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Commission’s Conference Hall.
The memo indicated that the new chairman will officially resume duties after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier the same day, marking the formal commencement of his tenure as Nigeria’s chief electoral umpire.
Transition of Leadership at INEC
Prof. Amupitan’s appointment follows the completion of the two-term tenure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025. Yakubu, who was appointed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, oversaw two general elections — 2019 and 2023 — as well as numerous off-cycle and by-elections across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Under Yakubu’s leadership, INEC introduced key reforms that shaped Nigeria’s electoral landscape, including:
- The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which replaced manual accreditation methods and reduced incidents of multiple voting.
- The deployment of INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, which enhanced real-time result transparency.
- Expanded voter registration drives that added millions of Nigerians to the voter roll.
- Strengthened institutional independence of the Commission amid political pressures.
As Prof. Yakubu bows out, his successor inherits both the achievements and challenges of a rapidly evolving electoral system in a highly politicized environment.
Who is Prof. Joash Amupitan?
Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) is a respected legal scholar, constitutional expert, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria with decades of experience in legal practice and academia.
He previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos and has held various advisory roles on constitutional and electoral law reforms. His nomination by President Tinubu was widely viewed as a move to sustain the tradition of appointing individuals with deep legal and academic backgrounds to lead INEC.
Amupitan is known for his advocacy on constitutional integrity, institutional reform, and the rule of law — values seen as critical to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. His appointment received Senate confirmation after screening earlier in October 2025.
INEC’s Immediate Priorities
Upon assumption of office, Prof. Amupitan is expected to prioritize stabilizing the Commission’s administrative structure, particularly as Nigeria prepares for off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Edo, and Ondo states in 2025 and 2026.
Key issues on his agenda include:
- Strengthening Electoral Technology: Ensuring the reliability of the BVAS and IReV systems, addressing logistical failures, and enhancing cybersecurity around result transmission.
- Deepening Voter Confidence: Restoring public trust after the mixed reactions following the 2023 elections.
- Reinforcing Institutional Independence: Safeguarding INEC’s autonomy from political interference and upholding neutrality in electoral management.
- Capacity Building: Training electoral officers, improving logistics management, and modernizing infrastructure at both national and state levels.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Building stronger relationships with political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, and the media to improve transparency.
CSOs React: Calls for Continuity and Reform
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have reacted to the appointment, urging Prof. Amupitan to consolidate the gains and reforms achieved under his predecessor, Mahmood Yakubu.
In a joint statement released by a coalition of civic groups including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Yiaga Africa, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the organisations commended President Tinubu for making the appointment ahead of the next election cycle, giving the new chairman sufficient time to prepare.
The groups, however, emphasized that sustaining electoral integrity requires collective commitment from all stakeholders — political parties, the judiciary, security agencies, and citizens.
“The credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process depends not only on the competence of INEC but on the synergy between all democratic institutions. We expect the new chairman to strengthen internal transparency, uphold neutrality, and continue the reforms that made elections more credible,” the statement read.
They also called for improvements in voter education, logistics planning, and timely publication of election data to enhance public confidence.
Challenges Ahead
Despite recent reforms, INEC continues to face complex challenges that Prof. Amupitan must immediately address to maintain institutional credibility.
1. Public Trust and Perception
Following the controversies that trailed the 2023 general elections, public trust in INEC has been mixed. Restoring citizens’ confidence through transparency and consistent communication will be crucial.
2. Logistics and Technology
Issues such as delayed deployment of materials, technical glitches, and election-day disruptions remain areas requiring urgent attention. The Commission must also upgrade its data infrastructure to prevent hacking or manipulation.
3. Political Pressure
As the 2027 general elections gradually approach, maintaining the Commission’s neutrality will be critical amid growing political competition. Prof. Amupitan’s legal background may serve as an asset in navigating these challenges.
4. Electoral Funding and Staff Welfare
Sustained funding from the federal government and improved welfare for electoral staff are essential to ensure operational efficiency and reduce vulnerability to corruption or coercion.
Expectations from the New Chairman
Stakeholders expect the new INEC Chairman to demonstrate bold leadership, institutional independence, and a deep commitment to democratic values.
Political analysts note that Amupitan’s tenure could define the next phase of Nigeria’s electoral evolution, particularly in how the Commission addresses digital transparency, electoral violence, and judicial interference in post-election disputes.
Many also anticipate that he will work to strengthen internal disciplinary mechanisms, ensuring that electoral officers who compromise the process face sanctions.
Looking Ahead: Building on Yakubu’s Legacy
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu leaves behind a mixed legacy — credited for modernizing Nigeria’s electoral process but also criticized for operational lapses in recent polls.
His introduction of technology-driven voting systems was a historic step, but challenges around logistics, communication, and delayed result uploads marred aspects of public perception.
Prof. Amupitan’s task will be to build on these reforms while addressing gaps, creating a more seamless, transparent, and trusted process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Conclusion
As Prof. Joash Amupitan takes charge as the new INEC Chairman, all eyes are on him to steer Nigeria’s electoral body through a defining era of democratic reform. His background in law and governance provides the foundation for institutional renewal, but success will depend on his ability to balance innovation with integrity, technology with transparency, and reform with resilience.
With stakeholders across civil society, politics, and the international community watching closely, Amupitan’s leadership will not only shape the next elections — it will test the strength of Nigeria’s democracy itself.
