The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the country’s voter register now exceeds 103 million, making Nigeria the largest democracy in Africa. The update comes as the commission prepares for the 2027 general elections. Lagos State leads with 7.4 million registered voters, followed by Kano with 6 million, Kaduna with 4 million, and Katsina with 3.8 million. Oyo State has 3.5 million registered voters.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating that the record number of registered voters underscores Nigeria’s commitment to democratic processes. However, he also acknowledged concerns about the declining proportion of young people in the electorate. Despite Nigeria’s growing youth population, young voters make up a smaller share of the registered electorate.
Amupitan also addressed the financial challenges faced by INEC staff, revealing that they are among the lowest-paid workers in the country. He emphasized that the commission is working to improve wages and conditions to ensure staff can perform their duties effectively. In addition, INEC has removed its staff from the civil service salary structure, citing poor wages as a key factor.
The commission is also investing in modernizing its electoral processes. Amupitan announced plans to use artificial intelligence to verify election results and detect cyberattacks. This move aims to enhance transparency and security ahead of the 2027 elections.
The voter registration expansion reflects broader efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in Nigeria. Yet, the challenge of engaging younger generations remains a critical issue for the country’s political future.
