The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed readiness to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two federal agencies.

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

Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of the Commission’s extensive experience in deploying biometric technology to identify and verify large numbers of Nigerians.

He said the Board was seeking to further strengthen the integrity of its examination processes and had learnt that INEC had biometric verification equipment that might no longer be in active use.

“We approached INEC as a sister agency with considerable experience in the deployment of biometric technology for the identification and verification of large numbers of Nigerians,” Aina said.

He appealed to the Commission to consider making some of the equipment available to JAMB to support its efforts to enhance biometric verification.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the delegation and commended JAMB for its statutory responsibilities, describing the Board as a critical institution in Nigeria’s education system and youth development.

Amupitan said INEC’s recent electoral engagements, including the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and bye-elections conducted across the country, had demonstrated the Commission’s growing technological capacity.

He said the deployment of technology in the recent elections had attracted commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly over the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercises.

The INEC chairman directed the Commission’s Director of Information and Communications Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, to review JAMB’s request and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment.

He said the assessment would determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that could potentially be deployed by JAMB.

Amupitan described the visit as a reflection of the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration, stressing the need for government institutions to leverage their expertise and resources for national development.

He assured the 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 appreciated the INEC chairman and management for the reception and reaffirmed JAMB’s interest in strengthening institutional collaboration, particularly through technology that could improve the integrity and efficiency of its examination processes.