Tunde Bakare
The Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Prof. Ibrahim Sani, has stressed that the competence of election officials at the polling unit level depends significantly on the quality of training they receive, as he declared open a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop to prepare personnel for the 2026 Off-Cycle Governorship Elections in Ekiti and Osun States, and six scheduled bye-elections in Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano States.
Prof. Sani, who described the two-day workshop holding May 21st–22nd, 2026, as “a crucial stage in the Commission’s electoral preparation process,” charged participants to approach the event with seriousness, discipline, and professionalism.
“Our objective here is not only to transfer knowledge but, more importantly, relevant skills necessary to ensure standardisation, consistency, and professionalism in the delivery of electoral services across all affected states,” he said.
Drawing attention to key innovations introduced under the 2026 Electoral Act, the Acting DG particularly highlighted the e-EC8A system of election result upload, urging trainers to pay close attention to the development and ensure its effective cascade to polling officials.
“The signing of the 2026 Electoral Act and subsequent release of the new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026 by the Commission has introduced some interesting innovations such as the e-EC8A system of election result upload,” he noted, adding that participants must ensure a hitch-free process that translates into credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections.
While acknowledging the progress recorded during the Anambra and FCT Area Council Elections, Prof. Sani maintained that more work remains to be done. “We have made giant strides, still it is not yet good enough. We must continue to help shape future elections,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Acting Administrative Secretary of TEI, Mr. Nasiru Umar Usman, charged the trainers with three specific responsibilities: fidelity to the training manual, scenario-based training with emphasis on simulating the computation and transmission of election results, and feedback discipline.
Usman was unequivocal about the stakes involved. “An election is only as strong as its weakest-trained official. A single Polling Unit where the e-EC8A process is misunderstood becomes a flashpoint for dispute. We are training to prevent that,” he warned.
He also highlighted the Institute’s investment in digital training infrastructure, noting that the INEC E-School offers flexible online learning programmes that allow trainees to access courses at their own convenience regardless of location, with learning progress and certification centrally managed by the Institute. He encouraged all personnel to make effective use of the platforms.
Usman further charged trainers to ensure that every Electoral Officer, Assistant Electoral Officer, Supervisory Presiding Officer, Presiding Officer, and Assistant Presiding Officer operates from one uniform, correct, and updated manual, cautioning that the workshop should not be treated lightly. “Do not treat this ToT as a routine refresh — treat it as a re-tooling for a new electoral landscape,” he said.
Both officials expressed appreciation to INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, members of the Commission, the Board of Electoral Institute, and TEI staff, particularly Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Muhammed, for their leadership and support in making the workshop possible.