In a landmark move to modernize Nigeria’s electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
The decision, made during INEC’s weekly meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025, is aimed at leveraging AI tools to enhance electoral transparency, improve operational efficiency, and guard against emerging digital threats.
Announcing the development in a press statement, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the initiative reflects INEC’s strategic commitment to adapting to global technological trends.
“The Commission approved the creation of an Artificial Intelligence Division under the ICT Department to continue to harness the positive aspects of AI and mitigate its negative impact on elections,” Olumekun stated.
The move follows INEC’s participation in a series of international conferences, where electoral bodies from across Africa examined both the risks and transformative opportunities presented by AI. While experts expressed concern over AI-driven disinformation, deepfakes, and election interference, they also acknowledged AI’s potential to boost electoral logistics, data analysis, and service delivery.
According to INEC, the new AI Division will focus on key areas such as voter services automation, real-time risk detection, data-driven decision-making, and geo-spatial intelligence for improved logistics and polling unit planning.
“This initiative positions INEC at the forefront of institutionalising AI within its ICT framework,” Olumekun added. “It also represents a significant step in our ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening electoral integrity through technology.”
The Commission believes a centralized AI governance structure will help streamline internal processes, enhance citizen engagement, and reduce the risks of manipulation and misinformation in future elections.
