The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
According to Olumekun, the creation of the AI Division was approved to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence while mitigating its potential risks to the electoral process.
He explained that the division will enhance the Commission’s ability to coordinate and optimise existing technology investments through centralised AI governance. It is also expected to improve decision-making through data-driven insights, strengthen risk management, and boost voter engagement.
“Furthermore, it will strengthen electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent safeguards,” Olumekun stated.
He added that the initiative places INEC at the forefront of institutionalising AI within Nigeria’s electoral infrastructure and represents a key step in ongoing administrative reforms.
INEC also revealed that it has participated in several continental conferences focused on the implications of artificial intelligence for elections.
