The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on areas of possible collaboration, particularly in biometric technology and other resources that could enhance the operations of both agencies.
The discussions followed a courtesy visit by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, and members of the Board’s management team to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement by the Board’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the JAMB Registrar said the visit was also aimed at formally introducing the Board’s new management to INEC and exploring areas for closer cooperation between the two agencies.
Professor Aina commended INEC for its continued confidence in JAMB, particularly for patronising the Board’s services in the conduct of its recruitment exercises.
He noted that the two agencies have significant similarities in their operations, especially their reliance on biometric technology, identity verification and systems designed to protect the integrity of their respective processes.
According to him, these commonalities provide an opportunity for both institutions to explore areas of mutual support, knowledge sharing and resource optimisation.
He therefore appealed to INEC to “consider making available, where feasible, some of its biometric verification machines for possible deployment by JAMB in the conduct of its examinations.”
Professor Aina explained that the request was primarily driven by the Board’s desire to continue providing candidates with the best possible services within its existing fee regime, without necessarily increasing the cost borne by candidates.
“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.
If a sister agency has resources that are not currently in use, there is nothing wrong in exploring whether those resources can be deployed to support another government agency,” he said.
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, welcomed the JAMB delegation and commended the Board for its statutory responsibilities, describing JAMB as a critical institution in the education and advancement of Nigerian youths.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission would examine the request and directed its Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to review the proposal and undertake a proof-of-concept assessment to establish the availability, technical condition and suitability of any biometric verification equipment that may be considered for possible use by JAMB.
Institutional Synergy
Professor Amupitan described the visit as a positive step towards strengthening institutional synergy.
He stressed that federal agencies could achieve greater efficiency and contribute more effectively to national development by identifying opportunities for collaboration and sharing expertise and resources where appropriate.
As a demonstration of his commitment to deepening the relationship between the two institutions, the INEC Chairman also expressed his intention to reciprocate the gesture by paying a visit to the headquarters of JAMB at a mutually convenient date.
He said such reciprocal engagements would provide further opportunities for the two institutions to understand each other’s operations, identify additional areas of common interest and explore practical ways of strengthening inter-agency cooperation.
Both institutions expressed their willingness to continue discussions on the areas identified and to explore other opportunities for collaboration that could strengthen their respective operations and contribute to improved public service delivery.
