The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to Olumekun, the decision to create the AI Division is part of the Commission’s broader efforts to leverage the benefits of AI while proactively mitigating its potential risks to electoral integrity.
“The new division will help INEC optimise its existing technology infrastructure through centralised AI governance,” he said. “It will enhance data-driven decision-making, improve risk management, and deepen voter engagement.”
Olumekun further noted that the initiative will boost the credibility of the electoral process through the use of predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent safeguards.
“This move positions INEC at the forefront of institutionalising AI within Nigeria’s electoral system,” he stated. “It also marks a significant step in the Commission’s ongoing electoral reforms, particularly in areas that fall within its administrative purview.”
INEC also highlighted its participation in various continental conferences focused on the impact of AI on elections. These engagements, it noted, have reinforced both the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
The Commission underscored that its interest extends beyond concerns over AI’s role in the spread of misinformation or content manipulation. It is equally focused on harnessing AI for data-informed decision-making, early risk detection, automation of voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence — all aimed at improving logistics and the efficient allocation of polling resources.
