By Jane Salihu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is seeking technical collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen biometric verification within its examination system, in a renewed inter-agency effort to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s admission examinations.
The development followed a visit by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and members of the Board’s management team to INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday. During the visit, both agencies explored the potential deployment of INEC’s biometric verification technology for examination-related purposes.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of the Commission’s extensive experience in biometric identification and verification. He explained that the Board was interested in leveraging available technology to further enhance the credibility and security of its examination processes.
The Registrar appealed to INEC to consider making available biometric verification equipment that may no longer be in active electoral use, noting that such technology could help JAMB expand and improve its existing verification capacity.
Receiving the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, described JAMB as a critical institution within Nigeria’s education system and commended its contribution to the development of the country’s youth.
Amupitan said the proposed collaboration demonstrated how government institutions could maximise existing resources and expertise rather than operate in isolation.
He directed INEC’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of the biometric equipment for possible deployment by the Board.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission’s growing experience with technology-driven elections had enhanced its capacity in biometric verification and other digital processes.
He cited the recent Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and bye-elections conducted across the country, as evidence of the Commission’s expanding technological capabilities.
According to him, the elections received commendation from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly for their credibility and peaceful conduct.
The proposed partnership could result in electoral technology and expertise being adapted for another important national purpose: strengthening the process through which millions of Nigerian youths gain access to tertiary education.
Amupitan said the engagement underscored the importance of stronger cooperation among government agencies, particularly where existing technology and institutional expertise could be deployed to address national challenges.
He assured the JAMB delegation that INEC was willing to explore additional areas of cooperation beyond the immediate request for biometric equipment.
The JAMB Registrar expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and his management team for the reception and openness to collaboration, saying the Board looked forward to further engagement as discussions on the proposed technology-sharing arrangement progress.
The proposed proof-of-concept assessment is expected to determine whether the biometric equipment can meet JAMB’s technical requirements before any decision is taken on its possible deployment.
The JAMB Registrar expressed appreciation to the INEC Chairman and his management team for their reception and openness to collaboration. He said the Board looked forward to further engagement as discussions on the proposed technology-sharing arrangement progressed.
The proposed proof-of-concept assessment is expected to determine whether the biometric equipment meets JAMB’s technical requirements before any decision is made on its possible deployment.
