INEC Offers Biometric Technology to JAMB to Tighten UTME Security

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to explore the deployment of its biometric verification technology to strengthen the integrity of examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The development followed a meeting between the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, during a courtesy visit by the JAMB management team to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Aina said JAMB sought INEC’s support because of the electoral body’s extensive experience in biometric identification and verification.

He said the Board was particularly interested in biometric machines that may no longer be in active use by INEC, asking the Commission to consider making the equipment available to JAMB.

According to him, the move would help the Board further strengthen its verification mechanisms and safeguard the credibility of its examination processes.

Responding, Amupitan welcomed the request and described JAMB as a critical institution in Nigeria’s education and human capital development.

He said INEC’s recent elections had demonstrated the growing effectiveness of technology in the Commission’s operations.

The INEC Chairman referenced the Anambra and FCT Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and several bye-elections, saying the exercises had received commendation from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission.

Amupitan directed INEC’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to assess JAMB’s request through a proof-of-concept exercise.

The assessment is expected to determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of INEC’s biometric verification equipment for possible use by JAMB.

The INEC Chairman also stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, saying agencies with complementary capabilities should work together to improve public service delivery and advance national development.

He assured JAMB that INEC was willing to identify other areas of cooperation between the two institutions.

Aina thanked the INEC Chairman and management for the reception and for their willingness to consider the Board’s request.