Youth surge drives Nigeria’s latest voter registration push past 3.4 million

Nigeria’s ongoing voter registration exercise is being shaped by a strong youth turnout, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recorded 3,441,121 new registrations in the second phase of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) programme.

According to the commission’s latest update released in Abuja, the figures, captured as of April 3, combine both online pre-registrations and physical enrolments at centres across the country.

A breakdown of the data shows that 2,068,384 Nigerians completed the process online, while 1,372,737 opted for in-person registration, reflecting a growing shift towards digital participation alongside traditional methods.

Geographically, northern states dominated the registration numbers, with Jigawa State leading at 201,047 registrations, followed by Lagos State with 181,095 and Kano State at 177,681.

INEC noted that the figures remain provisional, pending a clean-up process that will include claims, objections, and verification through its biometric system.

Youths, women and students dominate new voter base

A closer look at the data reveals a clear demographic trend: young Nigerians are driving the latest wave of voter registration.

Citizens between the ages of 18 and 34 accounted for 2,354,768 registrations, representing 68.43 per cent of the total. This significant youth participation suggests a rising political awareness among younger voters ahead of future elections.

Gender distribution also showed a notable tilt, with female registrants outnumbering males. Women accounted for 1,922,143 registrations (55.86 per cent), while men made up 1,518,978 (44.14 per cent), indicating stronger engagement among female voters in this phase.

Occupation-wise, students formed the largest bloc of new registrants at 1,235,931, or 35.92 per cent of the total. This was followed by individuals engaged in business activities at 701,912 (20.40 per cent), and those in farming and fishing at 615,967 (18.28 per cent).

The data also captured inclusivity metrics, with 48,330 persons with disabilities (PWDs) successfully registered, reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden electoral participation across different segments of society.

Data cleanup, legal constraints shape next phase

Despite the strong numbers, INEC emphasised that the current figures are preliminary and subject to further verification.

The commission explained that the next stage will involve data validation through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), a process designed to eliminate duplicate entries and ensure the integrity of the voter register.

Meanwhile, registration activities remain suspended in the Federal Capital Territory due to legal provisions tied to the recent area council elections, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

INEC urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the ongoing exercise, either through its online platforms or designated physical centres nationwide.

With millions already enrolled and demographics pointing to a youth-driven shift, the evolving voter register could play a defining role in shaping Nigeria’s electoral landscape in the coming years.

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