From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed readiness to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology as both federal agencies seek deeper collaboration on identity management.
In a statement by INEC on Friday said, the pledge followed a courtesy visit by the JAMB management team to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Leading the delegation, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, said the Board approached INEC specifically because of the Commission’s proven track record in deploying biometric systems for large-scale national exercises. He explained that JAMB is working to strengthen the credibility of its examination processes and believes INEC’s experience can help close existing gaps in candidate verification
Prof. Aina noted that JAMB understands INEC may have biometric verification machines that are no longer in active use following recent electoral cycles.
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He appealed to the Commission to consider releasing the equipment to JAMB to enhance its own verification infrastructure and reduce incidences of impersonation during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and other assessments.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, welcomed the JAMB team and commended the Board’s statutory role in shaping the future of Nigerian youths through admissions.
He was joined in receiving the delegation by the National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru, and Directors of Information and Communications Technology, Human Resources Management, and Voter Education and Publicity, as well as the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
Citing INEC’s recent deployment of technology, Prof. Amupitan referenced the conduct of the Anambra, Federal Capital Territory Area Council, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and several bye-elections across the country. He said the exercises earned wide commendation for credibility and peaceful conduct, including positive feedback from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission.
To move the request forward, the INEC Chairman directed the Commission’s Director of ICT to conduct a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability and suitability of its biometric verification equipment for possible transfer to JAMB.
He described the visit as a reflection of growing synergy among government institutions, and stressed that collaboration was critical to advancing national development.
Prof. Aina at the end expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception. He assured that JAMB would work closely with INEC’s technical team to ensure any support provided is deployed effectively, adding that both agencies share a common interest in safeguarding the integrity of national processes.
