In a groundbreaking alliance, Nigeria’s electoral body and Ethiopian election officials join forces to strengthen democratic institutions, advance electoral technology, and combat misinformation across Africa.
By Joy Odor, Abuja
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken another bold stride in continental diplomacy, hosting a high-powered delegation from Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) in a historic partnership to drive Africa’s democratic transformation through technology, transparency, and collaboration.
The landmark engagement, held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at INEC headquarters in Abuja, marks the first-ever joint study visit by an African electoral body and civil society coalition to Nigeria, a move hailed by observers as a model for democratic cooperation on the continent.
Welcoming the delegation, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared that democracy across Africa will only deepen when institutions share ideas, exchange technology, and confront challenges together.
“Democracy grows stronger when institutions learn from one another,” Yakubu stated. “This engagement is not just about observation, it’s about building networks, sharing experiences, and promoting sustainable electoral governance.”
He underscored the deep historical and institutional similarities between Nigeria and Ethiopia, both multi-ethnic federations managing complex electoral processes in nations that together represent a quarter of Africa’s population.
“With over 135 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa after Nigeria,” Yakubu noted. “Our two commissions share responsibilities in conducting elections, registering political parties, delimiting constituencies, and accrediting observers. This visit provides a unique opportunity for mutual learning.”
Over the next week, INEC will conduct nine intensive technical sessions for the visiting Ethiopian officials, covering every aspect of Nigeria’s electoral process from strategic planning and logistics to the use of technology in voter registration and result management.
Yakubu revealed that the sessions would feature interactions with civil society groups, media organizations, and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), ensuring a holistic exchange of ideas.
“This engagement will provide our visitors not only with the theory of election management but also a real-time experience,” Yakubu said. “The timing coincides with our ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory, ahead of the Area Council elections next year.”
He commended the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for facilitating the exchange and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to regional collaboration that strengthens electoral integrity across Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Tesfaye Neway, Deputy Chairman of Ethiopia’s National Election Board, praised INEC for emerging as one of Africa’s most credible and technologically advanced electoral bodies.
“INEC has become a model of transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in election management,” Neway said. “We are here to learn from Nigeria’s dynamic use of biometric registration, digital result transmission, and stakeholder engagement.”
He expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to replicate Nigeria’s successful reforms, emphasizing that Africa’s democratic future depends on cooperation, not isolation.
In his remarks, Mr. Abera Hailemariam, Executive Director of CECOE, stressed the crucial role of civil society in strengthening democratic governance, combating electoral misinformation, and promoting peaceful participation.
“Civil society is the bridge between the people and the process,” Hailemariam asserted. “Our goal is to build partnerships, leverage technology, and ensure elections that truly reflect the will of the people.”
He commended INEC’s openness and Nigeria’s democratic resilience, noting that collaboration between election bodies and civil society is the key to safeguarding democracy in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
The Ethiopian delegation applauded INEC’s hospitality and described the engagement as the start of an enduring alliance for democratic consolidation across Africa.
“This engagement marks the beginning of a stronger, action-driven partnership for credible elections and democratic resilience on the continent,” said Neway.
Both institutions pledged to sustain cooperation through shared research, policy exchange, and institutional development, with the backing of international partners like GIZ.
