ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division to enhance its operations through data-driven decision-making, improved risk detection, and automation of voter services.
The move was disclosed in a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, following the commission’s weekly meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.
Olumekun noted that the growing global relevance of AI in electoral processes prompted the commission’s decision. He said the AI Division, housed within INEC’s ICT Department, will play a key role in geo-spatial intelligence for logistics, optimizing the distribution of election materials and improving polling unit allocation.
He added that the division will support electoral planning by enhancing risk management, enabling predictive analytics, and automating decision-making processes. These efforts, he said, are aimed at strengthening electoral credibility and boosting voter engagement.
Olumekun emphasized that INEC’s participation in recent international conferences highlighted both the risks of AI — such as the spread of misinformation — and its potential benefits for election management.
“The commission approved the creation of the AI Division to harness the positive aspects of AI and mitigate its negative impact on elections,” he said. “This initiative puts the commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI within its ICT infrastructure and is a key step in our broader electoral reform agenda.”
The establishment of the AI Division marks a proactive effort by INEC to modernize its systems, reflecting a commitment to innovation, transparency, and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
