This Thursday, May 22, 2025, was the day of the Commission’s regular weekly meeting. The growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) to elections and electoral activities in Nigeria and around the world was one of the topics discussed at the meeting.

The Commission recently participated in multiple conferences on the effect of AI on elections with colleagues from across the continent. Concern over the use of AI to propagate false information or alter content online was not the only factor driving these exchanges; data-driven decision-making, risk detection and mitigation, deepening voter services automation, and geospatial intelligence in support of logistic optimization for improved material distribution and polling unit allocation were also among its advantages.

In order to continue utilizing AI’s advantages and lessening its detrimental effects on elections, the Commission authorized the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Division within the ICT Department.

Through centralized AI governance, the Division will help the Commission better coordinate and maximize current technology investments. Additionally, it will improve decision-making through risk management, voter engagement, and data-driven insights. Additionally, by using automation, intelligent safeguards, and predictive analytics, it will increase electoral credibility.

The Commission is at the forefront of integrating AI capabilities into our ICT infrastructure thanks to this initiative. In areas where the Commission only needs to take administrative action, it is also a significant step in our ongoing electoral reform.