The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed online pre-registration for voter registration within the first week of the exercise.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, revealed this in a statement on Monday, saying the figures were recorded between August 18 and 24.
“The breakdown of the online pre-registrations shows that 661,846 (47.96%) are male and 717,856 (52.04%) are female. Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 constitute the majority of the registrants with 860,286 (62.37%),” Olumekun said.
Students and PWDs join in large numbers
According to INEC, students made up 374,534 (27.15%) of the registrants, while 27,089 persons with disabilities also took part, representing 1.96 percent.
A state-by-state breakdown shows Osun leading with 393,269 pre-registrations, representing 28.5 percent of the total.
Lagos followed with 222,205 (16.1 percent), while Ogun came third with 132,823 (9.6 percent). The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded 107,682 registrants.
At the bottom of the table are Ebonyi with only 261 registrants, Imo (481), Enugu (484), Abia (772), and Taraba (2,395).
Regional performance across the country
In the North, Kaduna (61,592), Kogi (58,546), and Kebbi (35,009) recorded the highest numbers.
In the South-West, apart from Osun and Lagos, Oyo registered 66,951, while Ekiti recorded 29,685. Borno led in the North-East with 21,045, while Yobe registered 34,888.
Observers believe Osun’s impressive turnout may be linked to the state’s 2026 governorship election, which, along with Ekiti’s, is expected to be a major political battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, INEC said physical registration has also commenced in 811 state and local government offices for those who prefer in-person registration or need to complete their online process.
INEC warns against double registration
He explained that the exercise also allows inter-state and intra-state transfer of voter registration, as well as replacement of lost or damaged voter cards.
“Once again, the Commission appeals to the public that the ongoing voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who are not registered voters. Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law,” Olumekun cautioned.
Olumekun further urged Nigerians not to delay their registration.
“The exercise will continue for one year until 30th August 2026. However, the Commission urged all intending registrants not to wait until the deadline approaches when, from experience, the registration centres are inundated by eleventh-hour registrants amidst appeals for extension of time,” he said.
