The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says Nigeria’s national register of voters has risen to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this as the commission intensifies preparations for the elections, with the first ballot now 100 days away.
Amupitan said the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise attracted more than 10.6 million new applicants, while the public display of the preliminary register for claims and objections had been completed.
He also announced the completion of the final Automated Biometric Identification System, ABIS, cleanup of the voter register.
According to the INEC chairman, nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, will commence on Friday, October 9, 2026, urging eligible citizens to participate in the exercise.
The increase to more than 103 million registered voters represents an expansion of the electoral register. But beyond the headline figure, the latest data provides a closer look at the distribution of voters by gender, age and location across the country.
Who is on the 103 Million Voter Register?
INEC’s latest figures show that the register comprises 53,528,218 male voters and 49,700,497 female voters.
The age distribution shows that voters between 18 and 34 years account for 29,777,576, while those aged 35 to 49 years number 43,265,946.
Voters between 50 and 69 years account for 22,986,900, while those aged 70 years and above number 7,402,291.
Top 10 States by Registered Voters
Lagos has the highest number of registered voters with 7,488,633, followed by Kano with 6,570,276.
The top 10 states are:
- Lagos — 7,488,633
- Kano — 6,570,276
- Kaduna — 4,662,640
- Katsina — 3,876,051
- Rivers — 3,736,434
- Oyo — 3,588,111
- Delta — 3,525,988
- Benue — 3,052,225
- Ogun — 3,037,981
- Bauchi — 3,012,547
As the 2027 elections draw closer, INEC says its preparations will focus on strengthening the electoral process, deploying technology and ensuring that eligible citizens are able to participate.
It’s exactly 100 days to the first ballot of the 2027 general election. This 100-day milestone is not just a countdown; it’s a call to action. It marks the beginning of the first phase of our prepartions to ensure that the 2027 general election is not only successful but serves as a global benchmark for transparency, integrity and peace.
– Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman
#CTVTweets
— Channels Television (@channelstv) October 6, 2026
The commission also says it will apply lessons learned from previous bye-elections to its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Executing a national election of this magnitude requires robust financial backing and discipline. The federal government has maintained its commitment to democratic governance through the timely release of statutory allocation to the commission… However, we expect the prompt release of the remaining budget to ensure seamless execution of activities.
– Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman
#CTVTweets
— Channels Television (@channelstv) October 6, 2026
With the first ballot now 100 days away, INEC is urging eligible citizens to collect their PVCs when the nationwide exercise begins on October 9.
The commission says the preparations are aimed at delivering an election that is free, credible, transparent and peaceful.
Some states have started receiving some non-sensitive materials ahead of the election, procurement for the printing of ballot papers and results sheets is nearly completed, and advancement towards the final contract awards.
– INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, https://t.co/fQRNgzG2n6
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) October 6, 2026
