The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is strengthening its partnerships with global technology and electoral institutions as it explores the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies and cybersecurity ahead of Nigeria’s 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 deployment of artificial intelligence to strengthen the resilience and security of electoral processes.
The INEC Chairman also held a separate meeting with Dr. Lisa Poggiali, Chief AI Advisor at IFES, where discussions focused on artificial intelligence and its responsible application in electoral administration.
The engagements form part of INEC’s broader efforts to build strategic partnerships with leading technology and electoral organisations while strengthening its institutional capacity to respond to emerging technological opportunities and risks within the electoral environment.
The meetings also build on 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, being held in Ottawa from September 9 to 11, 2026, brings together election management bodies, technology experts, international organisations and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence in elections.
Participants are also exploring responsible approaches to the deployment of AI and other emerging technologies in electoral processes.
INEC said its engagements with Microsoft and IFES underscore the importance of sustained international collaboration as the Commission works to enhance the security, resilience, transparency and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Commission’s latest engagements come as preparations intensify for NigeriaDecides2027, with technology, cybersecurity and responsible AI expected to remain critical components of efforts to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.
