Osun, Lagos, Ogun leads CVR as over 2.5 Million Nigerians pre-register online for voter cards in two weeks

Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a significant surge in civic engagement, with 2,532,062 Nigerians completing online pre-registration for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within just two weeks of its launch on August 18, 2025.

Leading the pack are Osun State with 474,372 pre-registrations, Lagos State with 355,372, and Ogun State with 265,399, showcasing strong participation from the South West region.

In a statement released on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission highlighted the encouraging response from citizens.

The data, accurate as of Sunday, August 31, 2025, shows a gender breakdown of 1,218,482 males (48.12%) and 1,313,580 females (51.88%).

The majority of registrants, 1,602,484 (63.29%), are youths aged 18 to 34, with 647,528 (25.57%) being students, underscoring the active involvement of young Nigerians in the electoral process.

The CVR, which will run until August 30, 2026, combines online pre-registration with in-person registration to accommodate all eligible citizens. Physical registration began on August 25, 2025, at INEC’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide, operating from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Within the first five days, 72,274 citizens either completed their pre-registration or registered afresh in person, with Akwa Ibom leading in-person registrations at 5,470, followed by Kano (5,019) and Sokoto (4,525).

Notably, Osun, Lagos, and Ogun recorded lower in-person figures at 548, 2,178, and 1,636, respectively, indicating a preference for online registration in these states.

Olumekun emphasized that online pre-registrants must complete their registration in person at designated centers to capture biometric data, as the online process alone is invalid without this step.

The commission has made provisions for those without internet access, ensuring inclusivity by deploying staff to all registration centers. INEC also noted that the CVR allows for voter transfers and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, but warned that double or multiple registrations are illegal.

The commission urged citizens to register early to avoid last-minute rushes, which often overwhelm registration centers.

Detailed statistics on registrants by state, gender, age, occupation, and disability have been published on INEC’s website and official platforms for transparency.

INEC commended organizations mobilizing civic participation and encouraged eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above who have not yet registered to take part in the exercise.

With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the strong turnout, particularly from Osun, Lagos, and Ogun, signals a growing commitment to shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.