The INEC voter register has risen to 103,428,715 registered voters ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with Lagos, Kano and Kaduna recording the largest voting populations, according to the latest figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced the figures on Tuesday, October 6, during a national stakeholders’ meeting and press conference in Abuja. The update followed the completion of the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and a final biometric verification and clean-up of the database.
According to the commission, the three phases of registration produced 10,772,421 new registrations. INEC subjected the new records to biometric checks before adding eligible voters to the updated register.
The latest figures provide a clearer picture of the size and distribution of Nigeria’s electorate as political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
INEC Voter Register Shows Lagos With Highest Number
Lagos State currently has the largest number of registered voters in the country, with 7,488,633 people on the register. Kano follows with 6,570,276, while Kaduna ranks third with 4,662,640 registered voters.
Together, the three states have 18,721,549 registered voters, giving them a significant share of the national electorate. However, the size of a state’s voter register does not automatically determine election turnout, as actual participation will depend on several factors, including voter mobilisation and the willingness of registered citizens to cast their ballots.
Katsina ranks fourth with 3,876,051 voters, followed by Rivers with 3,736,434. Oyo has 3,588,111 registered voters, while Delta records 3,525,988.
Benue follows with 3,057,225 voters, while Ogun has 3,037,981. Bauchi completes the top 10 with 3,012,547 registered voters.
At the other end of the table, Ekiti has the smallest voter population with 1,055,708 registered voters. Bayelsa follows with 1,200,691, while the Federal Capital Territory has 1,732,043.
Voter Demographics Reveal Changing Electorate
The updated INEC voter register also provides important information about the age and gender composition of Nigeria’s electorate.
Male voters make up a slight majority, with 53,528,218 men representing 51.75 per cent of the register. Female voters number 49,900,497, accounting for 48.25 per cent.
Voters aged between 35 and 49 make up the largest age group. INEC recorded 43,265,946 voters within this bracket, representing 41.83 per cent of the total register.
Those aged 18 to 34 account for another 29,777,576 voters, representing 28.79 per cent. Voters aged 50 to 69 number 22,982,900, while people aged 70 and above account for 7,402,291 registered voters.
The figures also show that 232,658 persons with disabilities are included in the register across 10 categories. INEC said the largest category consists of voters classified under “others,” followed by persons with albinism and those with physical impairments.
The commission will display the voter register nationwide from October 9 to 15, 2026. The exercise will allow Nigerians to inspect their details and raise claims or objections where necessary.
INEC has also scheduled the nationwide collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards to begin on October 9 as preparations continue for the 2027 elections.
With more than 103 million registered voters now recorded, the INEC voter register offers political parties and election stakeholders a fresh picture of Nigeria’s electorate as the country moves closer to the 2027 polls.
