Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has once again defended the inclusion of academics in the Nigerian electoral process. Speaking at a recent event celebrating Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Jega reiterated the commitment of professors to integrity during elections, despite ongoing claims of electoral malpractice by some individuals within the academic community.
Jega, who served as INEC Chairman from 2010 to 2015, was instrumental in deploying university professors as returning officers during elections. He stated that, in his experience, academics consistently rejected bribes and brought unmatched transparency to the electoral process.
“When I took over INEC, elections were in a terrible state,” Jega recalled, speaking during The Platform, a socio-political event hosted by Covenant Nation in Lagos. “I was co-chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors before joining INEC. Using the vice-chancellors, we carefully selected academic staff with impeccable reputations to serve as election officials. This method worked well, so we stuck with it.”
Jega, a former vice-chancellor at Bayero University, Kano, also shared that while some professors have faced prosecution for electoral misconduct, these isolated incidents should not overshadow the overall integrity of academics who have served as returning officers. He pointed to the relatively low number of academic officials involved in electoral offenses as a testament to their commitment.
“Only about two professors, not to mention vice-chancellors, have been prosecuted for electoral offenses. Statistically, that is insignificant,” Jega remarked. “It is unfortunate that it happened, but it does not diminish the role that professors play in Nigeria’s elections.”
Two notable cases of academic involvement in electoral malpractice were highlighted. In April 2025, the Court of Appeal in Calabar upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, who was sentenced to three years for manipulating election results during the 2019 senatorial elections in Akwa Ibom North-West. Similarly, Professor Ignatius Nduk of the University of Uyo was sentenced to three years in February 2025 for publishing false election results related to the Essien Udim State Constituency election in 2019.
Despite these instances, Jega expressed confidence in the broader system of using professors and university staff in the election process. “A vice-chancellor who has dedicated 35 years to academia is unlikely to compromise their reputation over an election,” Jega said. “It’s a small fraction of a larger system, and I believe the benefits outweigh the risks.”
As Nigeria continues to strive for credible elections, Jega’s remarks serve as a defense of the role of academia in the electoral process. His leadership at INEC introduced a framework that utilized the skills and integrity of university professors, and he remains steadfast in his belief that this model should be upheld.