JAMB, INEC Seek Common Ground to Strengthen Service Delivery
The agencies responsible for two critical national processes—admission into tertiary institutions and the election of political leaders—are exploring closer collaboration to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in their operations.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which conducts examinations for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions, has sought the support of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the area of biometric verification technology.
The JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, made the request when he led members of the Board’s management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of the Commission’s experience in deploying biometric technology, adding that the Board was looking to strengthen the integrity and reliability of its examination and candidate-verification processes.
He noted that JAMB was aware that INEC had biometric verification equipment that might no longer be in active use and appealed to the Commission to consider making such equipment available to the Board.
According to him, access to the equipment would help JAMB improve its existing verification systems and further reduce the possibility of examination-related irregularities.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, commended JAMB for its statutory role in the education and development of Nigerian youths.
He directed the Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology to review JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability and suitability of INEC’s biometric verification equipment for possible use by the Board.
Professor Amupitan described the visit as a reflection of the growing need for government institutions to share expertise, technology and resources where doing so can improve services to Nigerians.
He assured the JAMB delegation that INEC was willing to explore other areas of cooperation that could strengthen the capacity of both institutions and contribute to national development.
