The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified engagements with global technology and electoral organisations as part of efforts to strengthen the use of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, held strategic partnership meetings with senior officials of Microsoft and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) on the sidelines of the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections in Ottawa, Canada.
He was accompanied by the Commission’s Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Lawrence Bayode.
At the meeting with Microsoft, Amupitan engaged Ethan Chumley, Emerging Tech and Cyber Lead, and Ariana Molina, Programme Manager, on emerging technologies, cybersecurity and the responsible application of artificial intelligence to strengthen the resilience and security of electoral processes.
The INEC chairman also met separately with Dr Lisa Poggiali, Chief AI Advisor at IFES, with discussions focusing on artificial intelligence and its responsible deployment in electoral administration.
The engagements form part of INEC’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading technology and electoral institutions while strengthening its institutional capacity to respond to emerging technological opportunities and risks in the electoral environment.
They also complement Amupitan’s participation in the Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections, where he shared Nigeria’s experience and lessons in institutionalising responsible AI for electoral administration.
The three-day conference, which began in Ottawa on September 9 and ends on September 11, 2026, brings together election management bodies, technology experts, international organisations and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and risks associated with AI in electoral processes.
The forum is also focused on promoting responsible approaches to the application of artificial intelligence in elections.
The meetings with Microsoft and IFES underscore the importance of sustained international collaboration as INEC works to enhance the security, resilience, transparency and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
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