The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed readiness to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with its biometric verification technology as part of efforts to deepen inter-agency collaboration and strengthen the integrity of the nation’s examination processes.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and members of the Board’s management team to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, September 4, 2026.
During the visit, Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a sister federal agency with considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology, particularly in the area of identity verification.
He explained that the Board was exploring ways to further strengthen its biometric verification systems and ensure greater credibility and integrity in the conduct of its examinations.
According to him, JAMB was aware that INEC had biometric verification machines that might no longer be in active use and appealed to the Commission to consider making some of the equipment available to the Board.
Aina said access to the equipment could assist JAMB in enhancing its existing technological infrastructure and improving the reliability of its verification processes.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the JAMB delegation and commended the Board for its statutory responsibilities, describing its role as critical to the education, development and advancement of Nigerian youths.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission had, over the years, continued to build its technological capacity, particularly in the deployment of biometric systems and other digital tools to improve the credibility and efficiency of electoral processes.
Amupitan cited the Commission’s recent conduct of the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and bye-elections conducted across the country, as evidence of the progress recorded in its use of technology.
He noted that the electoral exercises had received commendations from observers and stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly regarding their credibility and peaceful conduct.
The INEC Chairman subsequently directed the Commission’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review JAMB’s request and determine the availability and suitability of the biometric verification equipment.
He said the assessment would be undertaken through a proof-of-concept process to establish whether the equipment could effectively meet JAMB’s requirements before any further decision was taken.
Amupitan also described the engagement as a reflection of the growing synergy among government institutions, stressing that collaboration between public agencies was essential to achieving national development objectives.
He assured the JAMB management that INEC remained willing to explore additional areas of cooperation that could benefit both institutions and contribute to the delivery of more efficient public services.
Earlier, Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and members of the Commission’s management for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation.
The meeting was attended by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru; Directors of ICT, Human Resources Management, and Voter Education and Publicity (VEP); and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
The proposed collaboration marks another step towards stronger institutional cooperation between INEC and JAMB, with biometric technology at the centre of efforts to improve identity verification and strengthen the credibility of critical national processes.
