The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that over 2.6 million Nigerians have enrolled in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as of September 2, 2025.
This milestone, achieved within two weeks, reflects strong civic engagement across the country, including in states like Rivers, where residents are actively participating in the democratic process. The registration, which began on August 18, 2025, combines online pre-registration with in-person biometric capture to ensure a credible voter database for the 2027 general elections.
According to INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the exercise recorded 2,532,062 online pre-registrations by August 31, 2025. Additionally, 72,274 individuals completed in-person registrations or finalized their online applications between August 25 and August 29, 2025.
A demographic breakdown reveals that 51.88% of registrants (1,313,580) are female, while 48.12% (1,218,482) are male. Youths aged 18 to 34 dominate the figures, making up 63.29% (1,602,484) of registrants, with students constituting 25.57% (647,528) of the total.
The CVR, designed to accommodate new voters, updates to voter details, and replacements of lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), has seen significant participation in the South West, with Osun State leading at 474,372 pre-registrations, followed by Lagos (355,372) and Ogun (265,399). Other states, including Rivers, contribute to the national effort, although it was in the bottom percentile with 18,147 in the report.
INEC emphasized that online pre-registrants must visit one of its 811 state or local government offices for biometric capture, as online registration alone is invalid without this step. Physical registration centers operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, ensuring accessibility for those without internet access.
INEC introduced the online pre-registration option in 2021, allowing Nigerians to begin the process from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility has boosted participation, particularly among young people and students, who are critical to shaping Nigeria’s electoral future.
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The commission has urged registrants to complete their in-person verification promptly and warned against practices like multiple registrations, which violate the Electoral Act of 2022. Detailed statistics by state, gender, age, and occupation are available on INEC’s website for transparency.
The CVR exercise, set to continue until August 2026, is a cornerstone of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections. In regions like Rivers State, where voter turnout can influence local governance, such efforts are vital for ensuring inclusive participation.
INEC commended civil society groups for mobilizing citizens and encouraged sustained engagement to build a robust voter register, which is essential for credible elections. This surge in registrations signals a growing commitment to civic responsibility across Nigeria, with implications for strengthening democracy in all regions.
