The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that more than 3.5 million Nigerians have completed online pre-registration in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise.
The update was contained in a press release issued on Monday by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to the statement, as of Sunday, September 7, 2025, a total of 3.5 million Nigerians had pre-registered online, three weeks after the exercise commenced on August 18.
Regional Breakdown
Osun recorded the highest number with 518,635, followed by Lagos with 440,647, Ogun with 348,217, and Borno with 296,409. Kebbi had 193,781, while Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded 187,480 and 180,260, respectively.
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Yobe registered 173,731; Kogi, 166,010; Oyo, 160,652; and Kwara, 78,245. Other states include Ekiti (74,423), Kano (66,091), Delta (62,192), Imo (61,341), Niger (62,819), Sokoto (54,084), Jigawa (48,285), Bauchi (46,504), Katsina (47,220), Zamfara (32,784), Plateau (32,000), and Akwa Ibom (31,081).
Cross River had 22,938; Benue, 20,786; Rivers, 19,294; Gombe, 18,630; Taraba, 17,324; Bayelsa, 13,374; Ondo, 9,033; Adamawa, 8,849; Edo, 7,893; Abia, 2,629; Ebonyi, 1,616; and Enugu the lowest with 1,203.
Findings show that the South West is leading in participation, while northern states are intensifying mobilisation efforts. The South East, however, has recorded the lowest figures, sparking concern among stakeholders.
El-Rufai Cautions South East
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai last week expressed worry over the region’s poor response. Speaking at an event in Imo State, he appealed to residents to treat the CVR as a civic duty.
“Governance today is democratic. We elect our leaders; we don’t select or appoint them. Voting is important, and registering is a civic duty. The South East is lagging behind. I appeal to our mothers, sisters, and daughters to encourage their children who are of age to register,” he said.
APC Chieftain Urges Patience
Enugu APC chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah, acknowledged the low turnout but said it was too early to draw conclusions.
“We have just started, so we can’t judge by these initial figures. But I urge our people to avoid a last-minute rush. Institutions and community leaders must mobilise residents, while INEC sustains its publicity,” he stated.
Agballah added that political parties are already mobilising their members and called on traditional rulers, town unions, and cultural associations to support the effort.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
