INEC says Nigeria’s voter register rises above 103 million

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the figure on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja.

According to the commission, the three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise recorded 10,772,421 new registrations nationwide. INEC said these registrations were subsequently subjected to biometric verification and data clean-up through its Automated Biometric Identification System.

The commission said the final register now stands at about 103.4 million registered voters, making Nigeria the country with the largest voter population in Africa.

INEC said Lagos State has the highest number of registered voters, with more than 7.4 million, followed by Kano State with over 6.5 million and Kaduna State with more than 4.6 million.

The increase in the register comes as INEC steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections. The commission has also announced that nationwide collection of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards will begin on October 9, 2026, at designated Local Government Area collection centres.

INEC has urged eligible voters to take part in the verification process and check their details when the voters’ register is displayed for public scrutiny. The display is scheduled to begin on October 9, allowing citizens to raise claims or objections concerning entries on the register.

The commission says it has also strengthened its election technology, including the acquisition of 57,000 additional BVAS machines, as part of preparations for the 2027 polls.

The latest figures represent a significant increase from the 93.47 million voters recorded for the 2023 general elections.

INEC is expected to continue updating and validating the register as it prepares for the 2027 elections, with the commission stressing the importance of accurate voter information and public participation in the verification process.