By Editor Daily Fact

The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the completion of tenure by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served from 2015 to October 2025.

The announcement was made after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name to the Council during its meeting at the State House, Abuja. The President described the nominee as an apolitical figure and the first person from Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, to be nominated for the nation’s top electoral position.

Council members reportedly expressed unanimous support for the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State described Amupitan as “a man of integrity and deep intellect,” whose wealth of experience will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

In line with constitutional requirements, President Tinubu is expected to forward Professor Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a distinguished academic and legal scholar, currently serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He also holds the position of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

A graduate of the University of Jos, Amupitan obtained his LLB in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. He earned his LLM in 1993 and completed a PhD in 2007, both from the University of Jos.

His academic career, which began in 1989 after his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation, has seen him rise through the ranks to become one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.

Over the years, Professor Amupitan has served in several leadership positions within the university system, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008–2014), Head of the Department of Public Law (2006–2008), and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012–2014).

Beyond academia, he has contributed to both the private and public sectors, serving as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education. He also previously served as a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996–2004).

Professor Amupitan is a prolific author, with several publications to his credit, including 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 Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

He is married and blessed with four children.

With his confirmation by the Senate expected soon, many Nigerians are watching closely to see how Professor Amupitan will steer INEC into a new phase of electoral reforms and credibility.

By Abdulazeez Sani Labaran

The Gombe State University (GSU) Alumni Association has congratulated Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta on his confirmation as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution by its Visitor, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON (Dan Majen Gombe).

In a statement, the National President of the association, Malam Buhari Magaji, PhD, described Professor Yauta’s appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding leadership qualities, academic pedigree, and proven dedication to the growth of the university.

“Professor Yauta has, over the years, demonstrated remarkable vision and commitment to advancing academic excellence, research innovation, and institutional development. His elevation as Vice Chancellor is not only a personal achievement but also a significant milestone for the entire GSU community,” Malam Magaji said.

The Alumni Association expressed confidence that under Professor Yauta’s leadership, the university will experience greater transformation in research, teaching, innovation, and infrastructure. It further pledged its unwavering support to ensure his administration succeeds.

Stakeholders within and outside the university have also welcomed the appointment. Youth O’Clock Nigeria and Gombe State Chanter, in separate congratulatory messages, prayed for wisdom, strength, and success for the new Vice Chancellor as he assumes full responsibility.

Professor Yauta, who previously served as Director of Academic Planning and later Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), is widely credited for playing a pivotal role in shaping policies that have elevated GSU’s standing in Nigeria’s higher education landscape. As Acting Vice Chancellor, he introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and improving academic standards.

His vision for the university includes policies and infrastructural improvements that will not only expand access to quality education but also enhance support for persons with disabilities on campus, thereby making GSU a more inclusive institution.

Malam Magaji, on behalf of the alumni, expressed optimism that Professor Yauta’s tenure will be marked by unity, groundbreaking achievements, and prosperity for the university.

“On this historic occasion, we reaffirm our loyalty and support to Professor Yauta as he takes Gombe State University to greater heights,” the statement added.

Professor Yauta’s appointment signals a new chapter for the institution, with hopes high among students, staff, and alumni that his leadership will consolidate GSU’s place as a center of excellence in the North-East and beyond.

By Our Correspondent

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved the appointment of Professor Sani Ahmad Yauta as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University (GSU).

The appointment, conveyed by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Muhammad Shettima Gadam, followed the recommendation of the university’s Governing Council.

Professor Yauta, described as a seasoned academic and administrator, is expected to inject renewed energy and purposeful leadership into the institution, particularly in its quest for academic excellence, research innovation, and infrastructural growth.

In a related development, Governor Yahaya also gave approval for the appointment of principal officers to serve in acting capacities at the College of Education and Legal Studies (COELS), Nafada. The appointments, which take effect immediately, were made in line with Section 20, Sub-section 2 of the College of Education and Legal Studies Law, 2021, which empowers the Governor to make such decisions.

The appointees are:

Dr. Dauda Mohammed – Acting Provost

Aishatu Mahmud Aliyu – Acting Registrar

Ahijo Usman Mohammed – Acting Bursar

The Governor’s office noted that these appointments reflect his administration’s commitment to strengthening leadership across Gombe’s tertiary institutions, thereby ensuring smooth administrative operations and enhancing academic performance.

Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs at Government House, Gombe, described the move as part of ongoing efforts by the Yahaya administration to consolidate progress in the state’s education sector.