JAMB is seeking access to unused INEC biometric equipment as part of efforts to strengthen identity verification and improve the integrity of its examinations.
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, made the request on Friday when he led members of the board’s management team to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC as a fellow government institution with established experience in biometric verification, an area the examination body hopes to further develop within its own systems.
JAMB Wants Access to Unused Equipment
According to Aina, JAMB understands that INEC has biometric verification machines that may no longer be actively deployed.
He appealed to the commission to consider releasing suitable equipment to JAMB, saying the technology could help reinforce the board’s existing verification processes.
The objective, he said, is to make examination identification more secure and strengthen confidence in the integrity of JAMB’s processes.
INEC Orders Review of Equipment
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), received the delegation and praised JAMB for its role in Nigeria’s education system and the development of young people.
Amupitan also highlighted what he described as improvements in INEC’s use of technology, citing the commission’s recent electoral exercises, including the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the FCT Area Council election and various bye-elections.
He said the elections had received positive assessments from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the UK High Commission, particularly regarding their credibility and peaceful conduct.
Following the request, Amupitan directed INEC’s Director of ICT to examine the available biometric equipment.
The review will determine whether any machines are still available and whether they are technically suitable for JAMB’s intended purpose. INEC is expected to make that assessment through a proof-of-concept exercise.
Agencies Explore Wider Cooperation
The meeting also pointed to broader cooperation between the two institutions.
Amupitan described the engagement as an example of government agencies pooling their expertise and resources to address national challenges.
He assured the JAMB team that INEC was open to identifying additional areas of collaboration between the agencies.
Aina thanked the INEC chairman and management for receiving the JAMB delegation and for considering the board’s request.