JAMB seeks INEC biometric tools to tighten exam security
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for biometric verification equipment to strengthen the integrity and security of its examination processes.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, made the request when he led the board’s management team on a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja at the weekend.
Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of its extensive experience in deploying biometric technology to identify and verify large numbers of Nigerians. He said the board was seeking to further strengthen its examination processes through improved biometric verification.
According to him, JAMB was aware that INEC had some biometric verification equipment that might no longer be in active use. He therefore appealed to the commission to consider making some of the equipment available to the board.
Receiving the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, commended JAMB for its role in Nigeria’s education sector and described the board as an important institution in the development of the country’s youth.
Amupitan said INEC’s recent electoral activities, including the Anambra and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and various bye-elections, had demonstrated the commission’s growing technological capacity.
He said the deployment of technology during recent elections had received commendations from stakeholders, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, particularly for the credibility and peaceful conduct of the polls.
The INEC chairman directed the Director of Information and Communications Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, to assess JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept exercise to determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of any biometric equipment that could be deployed by the board. He assured the delegation that INEC remained open to further cooperation with JAMB.
