Nigeria’s voter register has crossed 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan.
Lagos State recorded the highest number of newly registered voters, as the electoral body continues preparations for the next general elections.
Amupitan said the latest figures further underscored Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest democracy.
Following the conclusion of the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) verification, the National Register of Voters now stands at 103 million, making Nigeria the largest democracy in Africa.
– Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman
#CTVTweets https://t.co/cnxOO6MARH
— Channels Television (@channelstv) October 6, 2026
But beneath the rise in the overall number of registered voters is a development that raises concerns about youth participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The top 10 states by number of registered voters are Lagos State in first position with 7,488,633 registered voters, followed by Kano State with 6,570,276, Kaduna State with 4,662,640 voters…..And then the 10th is Bauchi State, with 3,012, 547.
– Prof Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman
#CTVTweets
— Channels Television (@channelstv) October 6, 2026
Young voters losing their share of the register
Data from INEC show that voters aged between 18 and 34 accounted for 39.65 percent of registered voters in 2023, representing about 37 million people.
The latest figures put their share at 28.79 percent, or about 29.7 million voters, despite the total voter register rising to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 elections.
The figures mean that the 18-to-34 age group has been overtaken by voters aged 35 to 49, who now account for about 43.2 million registered voters.
The development is particularly significant given the size of Nigeria’s youth population and the prominent role young Nigerians play in political conversations, particularly online.
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INEC: Who is on Nigeria’s 103 million voter register
Male: 53,528,218
Female: 49,700,497
18 to 34 age: 29,777,576
35 to 49 age: 43,265,946
50 to 69 age: 22,986,900
70 and above age: 7,402,291 https://t.co/amnjwsBM2k
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) October 6, 2026
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More young Nigerians online, fewer on the voter register
Nigeria’s digital space has become increasingly influential in political discourse.
Social media users reportedly increased from 31.6 million in January 2023 to 38.7 million in January 2025, while TikTok usage also recorded significant growth.
That raises a question: Why has increased political engagement online not translated into stronger youth participation on the voter register?
Interviews with young Nigerians in Lagos provide several possible answers.
For some, the process of registering to vote and collecting a Permanent Voter’s Card is simply too stressful.
They say they can engage in political debates, express their frustrations and support causes from the comfort of their homes, but are reluctant to spend hours in queues at registration centres or collection points.
For this group, political activism is easier online than at the polling unit.
‘My vote can still make a difference’
But not all young Nigerians share that view.
Some of those interviewed said they intend to collect their PVCs and participate in the 2027 elections because they believe voting remains one of the most direct ways to influence government and shape the country’s future.
For them, the difficulties associated with registration and voting are not enough to abandon the electoral process.
Others, however, expressed a deeper sense of political apathy.
They argued that many young Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral process because they do not believe their votes will make a meaningful difference in government.
That perception, they said, is one reason some young Nigerians remain highly active in political discussions online while staying away from the voter registration process.
INEC urges youths to turn numbers into votes
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan has repeatedly urged young Nigerians to move beyond complaints and make use of their numerical strength.
In one of his voter enlightenment campaigns, he argued that the frustrations driving young people away from the electoral process should instead motivate them to participate and help change the system.
The challenge, however, is turning that message into actual participation.
The 2027 elections will ultimately be decided not by the number of political conversations taking place on social media, but by registered voters who turn up at polling units and cast their ballots.
For political parties, the implication is equally significant. Online popularity may generate attention, but it does not automatically translate into votes.
The question ahead of 2027 is whether Nigeria’s increasingly influential young population will convert its online political energy into electoral participation.
The answer may determine how much influence young Nigerians have over the leaders and policies that will shape their future.
