JAMB, INEC explore biometric collaboration to ease costs for candidates
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has begun discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on possible collaboration in biometric technology, as the board seeks to enhance its operations without raising fees for candidates.
The move was disclosed on Friday when the JAMB registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, led the board’s management team on a courtesy visit to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, describing the trip as an opportunity to formally introduce the JAMB’s new management and explore areas to deepen the existing relationship between the two agencies.
Prof. Aina commended INEC for its continued patronage of JAMB’s services in conducting its recruitment processes, noting that both agencies share significant similarities in their reliance on biometric technology, identity verification and systems designed to protect the integrity of their processes.
He appealed to INEC to consider making available, where feasible, some of its biometric verification machines for possible deployment by JAMB during its examinations, explaining that the request was driven by the board’s desire to sustain quality service delivery within its existing fee regime.
“Our request is essentially about resource optimisation. We want to continue giving our candidates the best possible services within the current fee regime without having to increase the cost to them,” Prof. Aina said, adding that where a sister agency holds underused resources, there is nothing wrong in exploring how they could support another government agency, subject to the necessary approvals and technical assessments.
Responding, the INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, welcomed the delegation and described JAMB as a critical institution in the education and advancement of Nigerian youths. He said the commission would examine the request and had directed its Director of Information and Communications Technology to review the proposal and carry out a proof-of-concept assessment to determine the availability, technical condition and suitability of any equipment that could be deployed to JAMB.
Prof. Amupitan described the visit as a positive step towards strengthening institutional synergy, noting that federal agencies could achieve greater efficiency by identifying opportunities to share expertise and resources. He also indicated his intention to reciprocate the gesture with a visit to JAMB’s headquarters at a mutually convenient date, adding that such exchanges would help both institutions understand each other’s operations and identify further areas of cooperation.
Both institutions expressed willingness to continue discussions on the areas identified and to explore other opportunities for collaboration that could improve public service delivery.