A New Face at the Helm of Nigeria’s Elections
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following a comprehensive screening session that blended technical scrutiny with political symbolism.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of Law at the University of Jos, replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu after a decade-long tenure. His nomination by President Bola Tinubu had been endorsed by the National Council of State, setting the stage for a generational shift in Nigeria’s electoral leadership.
During his Senate screening, Amupitan declared that his administration would deliver elections built on inclusivity, transparency, and technological innovation.
“No voter will be left behind,” he vowed. “We will invest in logistics and technology — and where necessary, deploy drones with adequate safeguards — to ensure materials and personnel reach every part of Nigeria safely and on time.”
The chamber broke into applause as the nominee laid out his reform blueprint, framed around access, credibility, and civic education.
Drones, Data, and a Digital Democracy
Amupitan’s confirmation comes amid growing public demand for electoral reforms and institutional credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections. His drone proposal marks a bold technological departure from the logistical failures that marred previous polls.
If implemented, it would make Nigeria one of the first democracies in Africa to use unmanned aerial vehicles for election logistics, voter monitoring, and rapid-response deployment — a frontier that redefines both accessibility and accountability.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio called the nomination “a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy,” adding that Amupitan’s integrity and digital vision aligned with national reform goals.
“Professor Amupitan’s credentials speak for themselves,” Akpabio said. “We expect him to lead with transparency, equity, and innovation that will restore full confidence in INEC.”
Impact Snapshots
- Institutional Reform: The confirmation caps a critical phase of Tinubu’s governance reform agenda focused on rebuilding trust in national institutions.
- Technological Leap: Amupitan’s drone initiative could revolutionise election logistics in remote and conflict-prone areas, reducing disenfranchisement rates.
- Public Sentiment: Civic groups and youth-led advocacy organisations have welcomed his pledge, describing it as a “21st-century leap” for Nigeria’s democracy.
- Security Integration: Amupitan also pledged close collaboration with the Joint Committee on Election Security to address recurring threats to electoral integrity.
For the Northern Nigeria Minorities Group, his appointment carried added symbolism. In a statement, its convener, Chief Jacob Edi, hailed the decision as “the first time in 65 years that a northern minority has been entrusted with leading the nation’s electoral body.”
“It’s not just about competence,” Edi said. “It’s about inclusivity — proving that fairness still matters in Nigeria’s federal equation.”
Democracy as Institutional Capital
Amupitan’s confirmation may strengthen Nigeria’s democratic reputation globally, signalling a reform-driven image that can attract international confidence and donor support.
Transparent, technology-enhanced elections are not just about politics — they are an investment in stability. The economic ripple is real: credible elections reduce investor risk and build institutional predictability, key ingredients for sustained foreign capital inflows.
For the Tinubu administration, this confirmation is more than personnel — it’s optics as governance currenc
