The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the national register of voters ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, Nigeria's national register of voters now stands at over 103 million following a three-phase registration exercise. This milestone reinforces Nigeria's status as the largest democracy on the African continent. The registration exercise was successfully completed, and the data is now available for public scrutiny.
Lagos State maintains the highest voting population in the country with 7,488,633 registered voters. Kano State follows closely in second place with 6,570,276 voters, while Kaduna State secures the third spot with 4,662,640 voters. The top ten states with the largest voter populations also include Katsina, Rivers, Oyo, Delta, Benue, Ogun, and Bauchi. These states have a significant number of registered voters, and political parties are expected to focus their mobilization strategies on these high-density regions.
At the other end of the scale, Ekiti State recorded the lowest number of registered voters with 1,055,708. Bayelsa State follows closely with 1,200,691 registered voters. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has 1,732,043 registered voters, positioned just below Yobe with 1,733,641 and Gombe with 1,768,566 registered voters. These states have relatively low voter populations and may require targeted mobilization efforts.
INEC's statistical breakdown also sheds light on the demographic composition of the 2027 electorate. Male voters account for 53,528,218, representing 51.75 percent of the national register. Female voters number 49,900,497, accounting for 48.25 percent. This demographic breakdown provides valuable insights into the voting population and may inform political parties' strategies.
An age analysis of the database reveals that the voting populace is heavily dominated by middle-aged citizens. Voters aged 35 to 49 form the largest demographic group with 43,265,946 voters, or 41.83 percent of the total. They are followed by voters aged 18 to 34 numbering 29,777,576, which represents 28.79 percent. Citizens aged 50 to 69 account for 22,982,900, or 22.22 percent.
The INEC database also captures 232,658 Persons with Disabilities across ten distinct disability categories, representing roughly 0.2 percent of the entire voter register. This information highlights the need for inclusive and accessible voting processes. With the figures now officially published, political parties and stakeholders are expected to pivot their mobilization strategies toward these high-density regions.
The release of the voters register marks a significant milestone in the countdown to the 2027 polls. Political parties and stakeholders will need to analyze the data and adjust their strategies accordingly. The INEC chairman emphasized the importance of the voters register in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Key points
- Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna states have the highest number of registered voters.
- The national register of voters now stands at over 103 million.
- Middle-aged citizens dominate the voting populace, with voters aged 35 to 49 forming the largest demographic group.
