The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with biometric verification technology as the two federal agencies move to strengthen collaboration.

The development followed a courtesy visit by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, and members of his management team to the INEC headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

Aina said JAMB approached INEC because of its proven experience in biometric verification, noting that the Board was seeking to strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.

He said 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 support its verification systems.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the delegation and commended JAMB for its statutory role in the education and advancement of Nigerian youths.

Amupitan highlighted the Commission’s recent deployment of technology during the Anambra, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as bye-elections across the country.

He said the exercises had been commended by observers, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the United Kingdom High Commission, for their credibility and peaceful conduct.

The INEC chairman directed the Commission’s Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review JAMB’s request and conduct a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability and suitability of its biometric verification equipment for possible use by JAMB.

He assured the delegation of INEC’s willingness to explore further areas of cooperation between the two agencies, stressing that stronger collaboration among government institutions was essential to national development.