Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology, marking a significant deepening of collaboration between two of Nigeria's most critical federal agencies. The offer was made on Friday, September 4, 2026, when the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led members of the Board's management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Aina explained that JAMB approached INEC as a sister agency with considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians. He said the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes and had learned that INEC had biometric verification equipment that might no longer be in active use. "We approached INEC as a sister agency with considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians," Aina stated. He appealed to the Commission to consider making some of the equipment available to JAMB to support its efforts to enhance biometric verification.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the delegation and commended JAMB for its statutory responsibilities, describing the Board as "a critical institution in Nigeria's education system and the development of the country's youth." Amupitan noted that INEC's recent electoral engagements, including the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections conducted across the country, had demonstrated the Commission's growing technological capacity. According to him, the deployment of technology in recent elections had attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly for the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercises.
The INEC Chairman directed the Director of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, to review JAMB's request and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment. The assessment, he explained, would determine the availability, technical condition, and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB. Amupitan described the visit as a reflection of "the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration" and stressed the need for government institutions to leverage their expertise and resources to advance national development. He assured the delegation that "INEC remained willing to explore further areas of cooperation" that could strengthen the capacity of both institutions to deliver on their respective mandates.
In his response, Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception accorded to him and his team. He reaffirmed JAMB's interest in strengthening institutional collaboration with INEC, particularly in leveraging technology to improve the integrity and efficiency of the Board's examination processes.
The collaboration comes at a time when both agencies are under increasing pressure to ensure the credibility of their respective processes. JAMB, which conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for millions of candidates annually, has been at the forefront of deploying technology to combat examination malpractice. In the 2026 UTME, which saw over 2.2 million candidates sit for the examination across the country, JAMB deployed comprehensive biometric verification infrastructure and real-time monitoring systems designed to authenticate candidate identity and detect irregularities. Candidates whose biometric data could not be verified were rescheduled to sit the examination at designated centres approved by the board.
Similarly, INEC has been expanding its use of biometric technology to enhance the credibility of Nigeria's electoral process. The Commission has deployed biometric verification for voter identification in recent elections, including the Anambra and FCT Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and various bye-elections across the country. These deployments have attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, for the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercises.
The partnership between INEC and JAMB represents a significant step towards leveraging the expertise and resources of both agencies to address common challenges. By sharing biometric verification equipment and technical knowledge, the two agencies can strengthen their respective capacities to deliver on their mandates while reducing duplication of effort and maximising the use of public resources.
The proof-of-concept assessment ordered by Amupitan will be critical in determining the feasibility of the collaboration. The assessment will evaluate the availability, technical condition, and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB. If the assessment proves successful, JAMB could gain access to biometric equipment that INEC no longer actively uses, enabling the Board to enhance its verification processes without incurring the significant costs of acquiring new equipment.
The collaboration also reflects a broader trend of inter-agency cooperation in Nigeria's public sector. As government institutions face increasing demands to deliver efficient and credible services, partnerships such as the one between INEC and JAMB offer a model for leveraging shared resources and expertise to achieve common goals. The success of this collaboration could pave the way for similar partnerships between other agencies, strengthening the overall capacity of the Nigerian public sector to deliver on its mandates.
For the millions of Nigerian students who sit for the UTME each year, the enhanced biometric verification capabilities that could result from this collaboration offer the promise of a more secure and credible examination process. By strengthening the integrity of the examination, JAMB can ensure that candidates are fairly assessed based on their merit, rather than their ability to circumvent the system.
Similarly, for the Nigerian electorate, INEC's continued investment in biometric technology and its willingness to share its expertise with other agencies demonstrate the Commission's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the credibility of the electoral process. As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the collaboration with JAMB could provide valuable lessons and technical insights that could further strengthen INEC's electoral processes.
The visit by the JAMB delegation to INEC headquarters and the warm reception by Amupitan and his management team underscore the growing recognition among government institutions of the importance of inter-agency collaboration. As Aina noted, INEC's extensive experience in deploying biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians makes it an invaluable partner for JAMB as the Board seeks to further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
With the proof-of-concept assessment now underway, the coming months will reveal the extent to which this collaboration can deliver tangible benefits for both agencies and the millions of Nigerians who depend on their services. For now, the partnership between INEC and JAMB stands as a testament to the power of inter-agency collaboration in advancing national development and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria's institutions.
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