INEC Records Over 9.3 Million New Youth Voters Registration Ahead Of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 9,324,349 young Nigerians newly registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the figure on Wednesday at the investiture of newly appointed Youth Ambassadors in Abuja.

Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the number highlighted the growing importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.

According to him, active participation by young Nigerians was essential to strengthening democracy, shaping electoral outcomes and building public confidence in the electoral system.

He said the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors was part of efforts to strengthen INEC’s engagement with young Nigerians and encourage greater participation in the electoral process.

“The appointment of these distinguished young Nigerians as INEC Youth Ambassadors is therefore a deliberate step towards strengthening the connection between the Commission and the youth population,” Amupitan said.

He urged the ambassadors to use their platforms to promote voter awareness, encourage peaceful and responsible participation, combat electoral misinformation and motivate young Nigerians to take an active role in the democratic process.

Also speaking, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, urged the ambassadors to speak out against electoral violence and manipulation.

Ajayi also called on young Nigerians to protect their future by refusing to be used for activities that could endanger their lives or disrupt elections.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by Deputy Director of Network and Social Mobilisation, Lami Bature, urged the ambassadors to promote electoral awareness, peaceful participation and responsible citizenship.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by the Director of Civic Values and Democracy Education, Olukemi Afolayan, charged the ambassadors to promote civic responsibility, electoral integrity and peaceful participation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Meanwhile, INEC has presented a Certificate of Return to Kallamu MaiJama’a, winner of the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election held on September 19, 2026.

The certificate was presented to the member-elect on Thursday at INEC headquarters in Abuja by the National Commissioner supervising Gombe State, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (retd.).

MaiJama’a commended INEC for the conduct of the election, describing the exercise as free, fair and credible.