The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The confirmation followed a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after Amupitan’s screening and interaction with lawmakers during Thursday’s plenary.

Amupitan, who arrived early at the National Assembly complex, was accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other dignitaries. He was ushered into the Senate chamber around 12:50 p.m. by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado.

Before his introduction, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved a motion to set aside Order 12 to allow visitors into the chamber, which was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Welcoming the nominee, Senate President Akpabio commended Amupitan’s family and well-wishers for their presence. He also disclosed that the nominee had been cleared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Office of the Inspector-General of Police conducted a fingerprint search and confirmed that Professor Amupitan has no criminal record,” Akpabio stated.

The screening, which commenced at about 12:55 p.m., focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and strategies to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following his confirmation, Amupitan is expected to oversee preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lead the commission into the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from the University of Jos, to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu as INEC Chairman. The President’s nomination letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Akpabio.

A former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan is widely respected for his expertise in constitutional and international law.