By Nkechi Eze
In a strategic move to enhance electoral transparency and modernise Nigeria’s electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the creation of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division under its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
According to an official signed statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the decision was reached during the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, 22 May 2025.
The creation of the AI Division follows increasing global and local conversations around the impact of artificial intelligence on elections. While AI poses potential risks such as the proliferation of fake news and content manipulation, INEC’s new initiative aims to harness the technology’s benefits for electoral enhancement.
The Commission recently participated in various continental conferences that examined AI’s growing influence on democratic processes. These interactions informed INEC’s proactive step to institutionalise AI within its operations to support reforms that only require administrative decisions by the Commission.
“These interactions were not only motivated by the concern over the use of AI to spread fake news or manipulate content online but also to utilise its benefits for data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, deepening voter services automation and geo-spatial intelligence in support of logistic optimisation for better material distribution and polling unit allocation,” the statement read.
With the establishment of this new Division, INEC aims to strengthen its capacity in centralised AI governance and maximise the value of existing technological investments. The AI Division is expected to enhance internal decision-making through data analytics, improve risk management, and advance voter engagement tools.
The Commission further noted that the integration of AI will boost electoral credibility through predictive analytics, automation, and intelligent safeguards tailored to Nigeria’s unique electoral landscape.
By taking this initiative, INEC becomes one of the first electoral management bodies in Africa to embed AI governance into its institutional framework. The move is seen as a bold step towards future-proofing Nigeria’s electoral system against emerging digital threats while leveraging advanced technologies for operational excellence.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to electoral reform and innovation, ensuring that administrative tools such as AI are deployed responsibly to support free, fair, and credible elections.
