INEC Offers JAMB Biometric Technology to Curb UTME Malpractice

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 the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The offer was made on Friday, September 4, 2026, when the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led a management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of the Commission’s experience in biometric verification and its deployment of technology in electoral processes.

He explained that the Board was seeking to further strengthen its verification mechanisms ahead of future UTME examinations, particularly to combat impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice.

According to him, 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 the equipment available to the Board.

Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the JAMB delegation and commended the Board for its statutory role in providing access to tertiary education for Nigerian youths.

Amupitan described JAMB’s mandate as critical to national development, stressing the importance of strengthening institutions responsible for the education and advancement of young Nigerians.

The INEC chairman was joined by the National Commissioner in charge of Outreach and Partnerships, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu-Zuru, as well as directors overseeing Information and Communications Technology, Human Resources Management, and Voter Education and Publicity. The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, was also present.

Amupitan highlighted INEC’s recent conduct of the Anambra, Federal Capital Territory Area Council, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as several bye-elections, noting that the polls received commendation from observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission.

He attributed the positive assessments partly to the Commission’s growing technological capacity in voter accreditation and results management.

Following JAMB’s request, the INEC chairman directed the Commission’s Director of ICT to review the proposal and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment.

The assessment will determine the availability, condition and suitability of the biometric equipment for possible deployment in JAMB’s examination processes.

Amupitan described the development as evidence of growing synergy among government agencies, saying collaboration would enable public institutions to maximise available resources, reduce duplication and improve service delivery.

He assured the JAMB management that INEC was willing to explore additional areas of cooperation beyond the immediate request.

In his remarks, Aina expressed appreciation to the INEC chairman and management for the reception accorded his delegation, saying the proposed collaboration would contribute significantly to strengthening public confidence in JAMB’s examination processes.

The initiative comes as both agencies continue to expand their use of technology to combat fraud and improve the credibility of their operations.

While INEC has deployed the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in elections, JAMB has continued to enhance biometric verification and CCTV monitoring at UTME centres nationwide.

The proposed collaboration could also enable JAMB to leverage existing government infrastructure rather than procure new equipment, potentially reducing costs while improving efficiency.

With INEC’s ICT department now tasked with reviewing the proposal, both agencies are expected to engage in further technical discussions on the possible transfer and deployment of the equipment.

The initiative underscores a broader effort by federal institutions to pool resources, technology and expertise in addressing challenges in elections, education and public service delivery.