By Atoyebi Nike
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division under its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department as part of ongoing reforms to improve Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission announced the initiative on Thursday, following its weekly meeting in Abuja, where it discussed the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections both domestically and globally.
In a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission said the AI Division would play a central role in harnessing the benefits of AI while mitigating its potential threats, including misinformation and digital manipulation.
“The Commission considered the increasing relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elections and electoral activities in Nigeria and across the world,” Olumekun stated.
“The Division will enable INEC to better coordinate and maximise existing technology investments through centralised AI governance, enhance decision-making, and strengthen electoral credibility.”
The commission noted that it had recently participated in international conferences focused on AI’s impact on electoral processes, particularly its dual potential to either undermine or improve democratic systems.
According to the statement, the newly created division will support initiatives of Data-driven decision-making, Risk detection and mitigation, Voter services automation, Geo-spatial intelligence for logistics and polling unit allocation, Predictive analytics for electoral planning and Safeguards against digital threats.
INEC emphasized that the creation of this unit is an administrative reform that aligns with its broader mandate to ensure credible and efficient elections, without requiring legislative amendments.
The commission affirmed its commitment to adopting global best practices and leveraging technology to uphold electoral integrity. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the new AI Division is expected to be instrumental in improving transparency, enhancing logistical operations, and deepening citizen engagement through technology-driven solutions.
