INEC Offers Biometric Technology Support To JAMB

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has offered to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with its biometric verification technology as both federal agencies seek to strengthen collaboration.

The offer was made on Friday when the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a sister agency with considerable experience in biometric verification, adding that the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity 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 some of the equipment available to the Board.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the delegation and commended JAMB for its statutory responsibilities, describing the Board as central to the education and advancement of Nigerian youths.

Amupitan directed the Commission’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability and suitability of INEC’s biometric verification equipment for possible use by the Board.

The INEC chairman said the Commission’s recent technological deployments in the conduct of the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and bye-elections across the country, demonstrated its growing technological capacity.

He added that the exercises had received commendation from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly on their credibility and peaceful conduct.

Amupitan described the JAMB visit as evidence of growing synergy among government institutions, stressing the need for federal agencies to work together in advancing national development.

He assured the JAMB delegation that the Commission was willing to explore further areas of cooperation with the Board.

Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC chairman and management for the reception accorded his delegation.