The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 9,324,349 young Nigerians completed fresh voter registration during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, highlighting the growing participation of youths ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed the figure in Abuja at an event organised by the commission to strengthen engagement with young Nigerians. He was represented at the event by INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus.
Amupitan said the high number of young people who registered demonstrated their increasing importance in Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to him, active youth participation could contribute to shaping electoral outcomes and strengthening public confidence in the democratic process.
The INEC chairman also urged young voters to be cautious about election-related information circulated online, particularly misinformation capable of undermining the electoral process.
As part of its youth engagement initiative, INEC unveiled nine Youth Ambassadors from Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries to promote voter education, peaceful participation and responsible use of social media.
Speaking at the event, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, warned that false election information could spread rapidly on social media before corrections reached the same audience.
He urged the newly appointed ambassadors and young Nigerians to follow the principle of “verify before you amplify.”
The ambassadors unveiled by the commission are Amal Umar, Christopher Yohanna (Uncle CY), Alex Kool Ibeh (Mr Kool), Mike Godson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Seun Ajayi, Ibrahim Tukur Bello, Sunday Agbaji, and Thompson Ukeki.
INEC said the initiative forms part of its broader preparations for the 2027 general elections, with increased emphasis on ensuring that young Nigerians have access to credible electoral information and participate responsibly in the democratic process.
