INEC says over 1.37 million Nigerians completed online pre-registration for voter enrolment in one week.
Osun led with 393,269 applicants, while Lagos followed with 222,205 registrations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that more than 1.37 million Nigerians successfully completed online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within its first week. The exercise ran from August 18 to 24, 2025.
Figures released in INEC’s State Pre-Registration Report highlighted Lagos and Osun as the frontrunners. Lagos recorded 222,205 applicants, representing 16.11 percent of the national total, while Osun topped the chart with 393,269 registrations, or 28.51 percent. Ogun followed closely with 132,823 entries (9.63 percent).
The Federal Capital Territory registered 107,682 people (7.81 percent). Oyo recorded 66,951, Kaduna 61,592, and Kogi 58,546, placing them among the states with the highest numbers. Others with significant participation included Kwara with 33,726, Kebbi with 35,009, and Yobe with 34,888.
In the South-South, Delta recorded 24,421 applications, while Rivers and Akwa Ibom registered 11,314 and 12,373 respectively. Cross River (4,055), Bayelsa (4,638), Edo (2,875), and Ondo (3,426) reported lower figures.
The North East saw varying levels of turnout, with Borno at 21,045, Bauchi 13,066, Gombe 4,103, Taraba 2,395, and Adamawa 2,155. Yobe again stood out with 34,888. In the North West, Kaduna’s 61,592 was followed by Kano (10,166), Katsina (11,004), Jigawa (8,243), Kebbi (35,009), Sokoto (12,478), and Zamfara (2,947).
The North Central states recorded moderate activity, with Niger (24,818), Nasarawa (11,555), Plateau (6,586), and Benue (7,305). Kogi’s 58,546 placed it among the top states nationwide.
The South East posted the lowest numbers overall, with Ebonyi recording just 261 applicants—the least nationwide. Enugu (484), Imo (481), and Abia (772) followed. The report did not provide figures for Anambra separately.
INEC announced that the physical phase of the CVR exercise began on Monday across 811 designated centres, covering all 774 local government areas and state offices. New applicants and those who pre-registered online are required to visit these centres to complete their enrolment, including biometric capture.
The Commission also reiterated that Nigerians can transfer their registration within or across states, as well as replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), during the exercise. Registration runs Mondays to Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Only citizens aged 18 and above who have never registered before are eligible, while special provisions are in place to support people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. INEC’s portal (www.cvr.inecnigeria.org) continues to provide online services including pre-registration, checking PVC status, locating registration centres, and updating personal details.
