By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has offered to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, with biometric verification technology to strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
The offer followed a request by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, during a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja at the weekend.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of its experience in deploying biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians.
He said the Board was seeking to further strengthen its examination processes and had learnt that some of INEC’s biometric verification equipment might no longer be in active use.
Aina therefore appealed to the commission to consider making some of the equipment available to JAMB to enhance biometric verification.
Receiving the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, commended JAMB for its role in Nigeria’s education system and youth development.
Amupitan said INEC’s recent electoral engagements had demonstrated the commission’s growing technological capacity.
He cited the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections conducted across the country.
According to him, the deployment of technology during recent elections had attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly regarding the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercises.
The INEC chairman directed the Director of Information and Communications Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, to review JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment.
The assessment will determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of biometric verification equipment that could be deployed by JAMB.
Amupitan described the proposed cooperation as an example of the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration, saying government institutions should leverage their respective expertise and resources to advance national development.
He assured the JAMB delegation that INEC remained willing to explore further areas of cooperation that could strengthen the capacity of both institutions to deliver on their respective mandates.
Aina, in response, appreciated the INEC chairman and management for the reception accorded him and his team.
He reaffirmed JAMB’s interest in strengthening institutional collaboration with INEC.
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