The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The confirmation, which took place on 16 October 2025, followed an intensive screening session during which Amupitan faced probing questions on electoral integrity, institutional independence, technology deployment, and reforms.
Amupitan, nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and previously endorsed by the National Council of State, was subjected to extensive questioning by Senators who scrutinized his vision for credible polls and how he would address challenges such as vote manipulation, logistical lapses, and public trust. During the Senate session, lawmakers also affirmed that Amupitan had been cleared by security agencies including the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
Lens News confirmed that the Senate’s decision was by voice vote, and with the confirmation secured, the National Assembly will now formally notify President Tinubu to proceed with the formal assumption of office.
Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who led INEC from 2015 until October 2025. As the newly confirmed chairman, Amupitan is expected to oversee several crucial off-cycle elections and prepare the electoral body for the pivotal 2027 general elections. Many observers see his confirmation as a key milestone in Nigeria’s electoral reforms.
While civil society groups have welcomed the confirmation, they are urging that Amupitan’s tenure be defined by transparency, accountability, and firm enforcement of electoral laws. The test of his leadership will ultimately lie in his ability to deliver credible, credible polls that restore public faith in Nigeria’s democracy.
