2027: South-East Lags as 1.3 Million Nigerians Pre-Register for Voter Cards, Osun, Lagos Lead

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed online pre-registration during the first week of the 2025 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, held from August 18 to 24.

According to the CVR State Pre-Registration Report shared with journalists, Osun State recorded the highest number of pre-registrations with 393,269, representing 28.51 percent of the national total. Lagos State followed with 222,205 registrants, accounting for 16.11 percent, while Ogun recorded 132,823 pre-registrations, or 9.63 percent.

The Federal Capital Territory registered 107,682 participants, contributing 7.81 percent to the total. Oyo State followed with 66,951, Kaduna 61,592, and Kogi 58,546. Kwara, Kebbi, and Yobe registered 33,726, 35,009, and 34,888 voters, respectively. In the South-South, Delta recorded 24,421, Rivers 11,314, Akwa Ibom 12,373, Cross River 4,055, Bayelsa 4,638, Edo 2,875, and Ondo 3,426.

In the North-East, Borno led with 21,045 registrations, followed by Bauchi 13,066, Adamawa 2,155, Gombe 4,103, Taraba 2,395, and Yobe’s earlier reported 34,888. The North-West recorded significant activity with Kaduna 61,592, Kano 10,166, Katsina 11,004, Jigawa 8,243, Kebbi 35,009, Sokoto 12,478, and Zamfara 2,947. North-Central participation included Niger 24,818, Nasarawa 11,555, Plateau 6,586, Benue 7,305, and Kogi among top-performing states.

The South-East recorded the lowest figures, with Ebonyi registering only 261, Enugu 484, Imo 481, and Abia 772.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that the CVR exercise will continue for a full year, ending on August 30, 2026. The commission also began the physical phase of registration, requiring all applicants to complete their registration at INEC centres where biometrics will be captured.

The exercise allows transfers within or across states, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards. Registration is available at 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 Local Government Area offices and state offices, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The process is open to Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who have not registered previously, with accessibility arrangements in place for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.

INEC’s online portal, [www.cvr.inecnigeria.org](http://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org), provides services including pre-registration, PVC status checks, locating registration centres, updating personal information, and transferring or replacing voter cards. The commission warned that double or multiple registrations are illegal.

In Oyo State, the government urged residents to participate fully in the ongoing CVR exercise. Dr. Morohunkola Thomas, Director-General of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development, encouraged residents to register online if they need to replace lost or defaced voter cards or transfer registration, emphasizing that active participation would ensure citizens can vote for leaders of their choice in upcoming elections.