By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says more than 9.3 million young Nigerians were newly registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), highlighting a significant increase in youth participation in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the investiture of newly appointed INEC Youth Ambassadors.
Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said 9,324,349 young Nigerians completed new voter registration during the 2026 CVR exercise.
The figure, he said, demonstrated the growing interest of young Nigerians in the electoral process and reinforced the importance of creating stronger channels through which the Commission could communicate with the country’s youthful population.
In a statement issued by INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, the chairman said meaningful youth participation remained essential to the strength and sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy.
He explained that the Youth Ambassador initiative was established to bring INEC closer to young Nigerians by using trusted and relatable voices to improve access to electoral information and encourage responsible civic participation.
According to him, young people are more likely to engage with electoral messages when such information comes through credible individuals within their communities and social networks.
Amupitan therefore charged the newly appointed ambassadors to use their platforms to promote voter education, encourage peaceful participation, combat misinformation and help young Nigerians understand their rights and responsibilities within the electoral system.
Also speaking at the event, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, urged the ambassadors to actively speak against electoral violence, manipulation and other activities capable of undermining the credibility of elections.
Ajayi warned young Nigerians against allowing themselves to be recruited into violent or disruptive activities, urging them instead to protect their future by participating constructively in the democratic process.
The Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, represented by the Deputy Director of Network and Social Mobilisation, Mrs Lami Bature, similarly tasked the ambassadors with promoting electoral awareness, peaceful participation and responsible citizenship among their peers.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by the Director of Civic Values and Democracy Education, Dr Olukemi Afolayan, also urged the ambassadors to deploy their influence in promoting civic responsibility, electoral integrity and peaceful participation as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, INEC has presented a Certificate of Return to Hon. Kallamu MaiJama’a, following his victory in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency by-election held on September 19, 2026.
The certificate was presented to the member-elect on Thursday at INEC headquarters in Abuja by the National Commissioner supervising Gombe State, Rear Adm. Jamila Malafa (rtd).
MaiJama’a commended the electoral commission for its handling of the poll, describing the election as free, fair and credible.
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