The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division aimed at strengthening its ability to make data-driven decisions, detect and mitigate risks, and advance the automation of voter services.
The announcement was made in a statement on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. He revealed that the decision followed the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja.
According to Olumekun, the creation of the AI Division reflects the commission’s recognition of the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in electoral processes both in Nigeria and globally.
“The Artificial Intelligence Division, which is domiciled in the ICT Department, will also assist the Commission with geo-spatial intelligence in support of logistic optimization for better material distribution and polling unit allocation,” he stated.
“It will also enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management and voter engagement. Furthermore, it will strengthen electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation and intelligent safeguards.”
Olumekun noted that INEC had participated in several recent conferences with electoral bodies across the African continent, focusing on the implications of AI for elections.
“These interactions were not only motivated by the concern over the use of AI to spread fake news or manipulate content online but also to utilise its benefits for election planning and administration,” he said.
As a result of these deliberations, the Commission approved the establishment of the AI Division under the ICT Department to leverage the advantages of artificial intelligence while minimizing its risks.
“The Division will enable the Commission to better coordinate and maximise existing technology investments through centralized AI governance.
This initiative puts the Commission in the forefront of institutionalising AI capabilities within our ICT infrastructure.
It is also an important step in our ongoing reform of the electoral process in areas that only require administrative action by the Commission,” Olumekun explained.
The move is part of INEC’s broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s electoral system through technological innovation and operational efficiency.
