The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has offered to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between both federal agencies.
The offer was made on Friday when the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led the Board’s management team on a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of its extensive experience in using biometric technology to identify and verify large numbers of Nigerians.
He appealed to the commission to make available some of its biometric equipment that might no longer be in active use, saying the technology would help JAMB further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the request and directed the commission’s Director of ICT, Dr Lawrence Bayode, to review it and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment.
The assessment will determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of any biometric equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB.
Amupitan said INEC’s recent elections, including the Anambra and FCT Area Council elections, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls and various bye-elections, had demonstrated the commission’s growing technological capacity.
He said the use of technology in recent elections had attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the UK High Commission, particularly over the credibility and peaceful conduct of the polls.
The INEC chairman described the visit as an opportunity to deepen inter-agency collaboration and enable government institutions to leverage their expertise and resources for national development.
Aina thanked the commission for the reception and reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation with INEC.