The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division as part of its efforts to improve how elections are run in Nigeria.
The announcement was made public in a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee after the commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday
INEC said the move came after attending several conferences with election experts across Africa, where they discussed the growing impact of AI on elections.
These meetings helped the Commission better understand both the risks—like the spread of fake news and misinformation—and the benefits, such as using AI to make smarter decisions, better plan election logistics, and offer improved services to voters.
“We are aware of the threats posed by AI in the wrong hands, but we also see how it can help us make elections more efficient, transparent, and trustworthy,” INEC said.
According to Olumekun, the new AI Division will help the Commission better manage the technology it already uses, and make more informed decisions by analyzing data, identifying risks early, and improving how it communicates with voters.
“This will allow us to take full advantage of modern technology to plan better, reach people faster, and make voting smoother.”
“It’s about using smart tools to make sure elections are fair and well-organized,” he explained.
He also said the AI Division will use smart systems to detect and reduce problems before they happen, helping to protect the voting process and increase public trust.
“This is a big step forward in our ongoing effort to improve the way we conduct elections. By making this change within our office, we’re showing that real progress can be made without waiting for new laws,” Olumekun added.
