The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated a multi-agency logistics committee to strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections, focusing on the timely and secure delivery of electoral materials across Nigeria.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, INEC’s Chairman, inaugurated the committee on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, as the electoral body moves to address transportation, storage, and security challenges ahead of the polls.
The committee is tasked with developing a comprehensive national logistics plan covering the storage, distribution, deployment, and retrieval of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
Speaking at the inauguration, Amupitan emphasised that effective logistics are critical to the success of any election, stressing that electoral materials must reach polling units on time regardless of geographical challenges or security conditions. He noted that the commission adopted a multi-agency framework due to the complexities of moving personnel and materials across Nigeria’s diverse terrain, including riverine communities, remote locations, and security-vulnerable areas.
Among its primary responsibilities, the committee will:
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Assess INEC’s overall national logistics requirements.
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Audit the readiness of warehouses, vehicles, airports, seaports, and transit infrastructure.
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Identify operational gaps and recommend swift corrective measures.
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Monitor strict compliance with approved logistics schedules.
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Develop strategic measures to counter transportation bottlenecks, equipment shortages, and potential security threats.
To ensure seamless execution, the committee will coordinate closely with relevant government agencies, INEC state offices, security forces, and transport unions.
Amupitan appointed Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (retd.), INEC National Commissioner, as chairperson of the committee, highlighting the need for discipline, specialised expertise, and strategic coordination in managing election logistics.
The committee brings together strategic leadership from across security, aviation, maritime, and transport sectors. Represented bodies include:
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Security & Defense: Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
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Transport & Infrastructure: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and key road transport unions.
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Financial Oversight: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Rear Admiral Malafa (retd.) stated that their operational strategy would leverage lessons learned from past elections to eliminate structural weaknesses in personnel and material deployment.
