The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sought the support of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accessing biometric verification equipment to strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, made the request on Friday, September 4, 2026, when he led members of the Board’s management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a sister agency because of the Commission’s considerable experience in deploying biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians.
He said, “We came to INEC as a sister agency that has considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology for the identification and verification of Nigerians.”
According to him, the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes and had learnt that INEC might have biometric verification equipment that was no longer in active use.
“We understand that there are some biometric verification equipment that may no longer be in active use by INEC, and we are appealing to the Commission to consider making some of them available to JAMB,” Aina said.
He explained that access to the equipment would help the Board improve its capacity for biometric verification and strengthen measures aimed at ensuring credible examination processes.
“We believe that if some of these resources can be made available to us, they will go a long way in supporting our efforts to enhance biometric verification and protect the integrity of our examinations,” he added.
Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the JAMB delegation and commended the Board for its statutory responsibilities.
Amupitan described JAMB as “a critical institution in Nigeria’s education system and in the development of our youths,” stressing the importance of supporting institutions that play strategic roles in national development.
He said INEC’s recent electoral engagements had further demonstrated the Commission’s growing technological capacity.
“Our recent electoral engagements have continued to demonstrate the growing capacity of the Commission to deploy technology effectively in electoral processes,” Amupitan said.
He cited the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections conducted across the country as examples of exercises where technology played a significant role.
According to him, the Commission’s deployment of technology in recent elections had received commendations from key stakeholders.
“Our deployment of technology in recent elections has attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission,” he said.
Amupitan noted that the commendations were particularly linked to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the electoral exercises.
The INEC Chairman subsequently directed the Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Dr. Lawrence Bayode, to review JAMB’s request and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment.
“I have directed the Director of ICT to look into this request and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment,” Amupitan said.
He explained that the assessment would determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB.
“We need to establish what equipment is available, its technical condition and whether it is suitable for the purpose for which JAMB intends to deploy it,” he said.
Amupitan also emphasised the importance of collaboration among government institutions, saying agencies should maximise their respective expertise and resources in addressing national challenges.
“This visit reflects the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration. Government institutions must be able to leverage their respective expertise, experience and resources in advancing national development,” he said.
He assured the JAMB delegation that INEC remained willing to explore additional areas of cooperation with the Board.
“We remain willing to explore further areas of cooperation that can strengthen the capacity of both institutions to deliver on our respective mandates,” Amupitan said.
Earlier, Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation.
He reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to strengthening its institutional relationship with INEC, particularly in areas involving technology and knowledge sharing.
“We appreciate the Chairman and the management of INEC for receiving us and for the openness with which they have considered our request,” Aina said.
He added that JAMB was interested in building a stronger relationship with INEC and exploring areas where both institutions could share expertise and resources.
The visit was attended by INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru; Director of ICT, Dr. Lawrence Bayode; Director of Human Resources Management, Umar M. Bashar; Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi; and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.