The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), has begun a two-day technical workshop on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral management, as part of efforts to strengthen electoral integrity and improve operational efficiency in Nigeria.
The workshop, convened under the leadership of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, brings together senior ICT staff, heads of departments, other technical personnel of the Commission, as well as development partners.
The initiative underscores INEC’s commitment to proactively exploring emerging technologies that can enhance credible, transparent and inclusive elections, while addressing the risks associated with new digital tools.
Speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kano State, Ambassador Abdu Abdussamadu Zango, highlighted the scale and complexity of Nigeria’s electoral operations and the increasing role of technology in election management. He described Artificial Intelligence as a “double-edged sword,” noting that while it has the potential to improve efficiency, security and public confidence, it could also be abused if not properly regulated.
Drawing lessons from the 2023 General Election, Zango observed that digital platforms were exploited for misinformation and disinformation, stressing the need for vigilance as AI technologies become more widely accessible. He said the workshop was designed to ensure that AI is deployed to strengthen electoral integrity and security rather than undermine public trust.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director (Communications), Engr. Lawal Umar, who represented the Director of ICT, Dr. Bayode Lawrence, described the workshop as a major milestone in the Commission’s technological development. He noted that AI offers significant opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy and transparency in key electoral processes such as voter registration, logistics planning, result management and fraud detection.
Umar emphasised that INEC is committed to moving beyond theoretical discussions to developing secure, practical and well-governed AI applications that align with Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks, adding that innovation must always support credible elections and safeguard the integrity of the process.
Delivering a goodwill message and leading the workshop sessions, the IFES Regional Director for Africa and Country Director for Nigeria, Seray Jah, described Nigeria as the “giant of Africa” and said the successful deployment of AI by INEC could serve as a model for other countries in West Africa and across the continent. He reaffirmed IFES’ commitment to supporting INEC in the responsible adoption of AI to enhance electoral credibility.
The workshop programme covers topics such as the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, global and African use cases, the implications of AI for elections, misinformation and disinformation, and guiding principles for responsible AI adoption in electoral management.
Other facilitators at the workshop include IFES Kenya Country Director and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Nigeria, Mr. Obaje Ukeh, and IFES Nigeria Project Manager, Ms. Judith Toryem, who led sessions on the first day, providing training and guidance to participants.
