The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to review the participation of university lecturers in managing elections, signalling a possible shift in how returning officers are selected across Nigeria.
Newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this intention during his Senate screening on Thursday, October 16.
He said the review would be part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
“We’ll review the entire process and ensure that those who handle election results are not only competent, but credible,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman, a professor of law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, emphasised that competence and integrity, not academic titles, would guide future appointments.
His comments came after senators raised concerns about reports of misconduct among some professors who previously served as returning officers.
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Political parties have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely step toward restoring public trust in the electoral system.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said, “Being a professor does not make you a superhuman being.
“If, as professors and academicians, the expectations placed on them have not been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the incoming Chairman of INEC, he should be given the go-ahead to review the process in the interest of fairness and justice.”
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, urged Amupitan to engage credible academics and civil society groups.
“Being a professor does not automatically make one incorruptible or free from questionable character,” he said.
Civil society leaders also backed the reform, saying the credibility of elections depends on the integrity of personnel, not their titles.
With Amupitan’s confirmation now complete, the commission is set to begin a comprehensive audit of election management practices to rebuild confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.