The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed its readiness to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, with biometric verification technology as part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the two federal agencies.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the offer while receiving the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and members of his management team on a visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Amupitan commended the Board for its statutory role in national development, describing it as a critical institution in advancing the education and future of Nigerian youths.
He was joined in receiving the delegation by the National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru; Directors of Information and Communications Technology, ICT, Human Resources Management, and Voter Education and Publicity, VEP; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.
The INEC Chairman cited the Commission’s recent conduct of the Anambra governorship election, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council election, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and bye-elections across the country, as evidence of its growing technological capacity.
He noted that the elections had received commendations from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly for their credibility and peaceful conduct.
Amupitan subsequently directed the Commission’s Director of ICT to review JAMB’s request and determine, through a proof-of-concept assessment, the availability and suitability of the biometric verification equipment for possible deployment by the Board.
He described the visit as a reflection of the growing synergy among government institutions, stressing the need for agencies to leverage their respective expertise and resources to advance national development.
The INEC Chairman assured the JAMB delegation of the Commission’s willingness to explore additional areas of cooperation between the two agencies.
Speaking during the visit, Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a sister agency with proven expertise in biometric verification, stressing that the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity and credibility of its examination processes.
He said 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 the equipment available to support the Board’s efforts to enhance its verification systems.
Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and management for the warm reception accorded him and his team.
