By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded over 3.4 million new voters in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide.
In its Week 13 update released on Wednesday, 8 April, 2026 in Abuja, the commission said a total of 3,441,121 registrations had been completed as of April 3 through online pre-registration and physical walk-ins, as part of efforts to expand the national voters’ register.
INEC disclosed that 2,068,384 citizens registered online, while 1,372,737 completed the process physically at designated centres across the country.
A state-by-state breakdown showed that Jigawa recorded the highest number of registrants with 201,047, representing 5.84 per cent of the total. Lagos followed with 181,095, while Kano ranked third with 177,681.
Youth participation dominated the exercise, with citizens aged 18 to 34 accounting for 2,354,768 registrations, representing 68.43 per cent of the total.
Similarly, gender distribution indicated a higher turnout among women, who accounted for 1,922,143 registrations (55.86 per cent), compared to 1,518,978 males (44.14 per cent).
On occupational spread, students formed the largest group of new voters with 1,235,931 registrations, representing 35.92 per cent. This was followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 per cent), while individuals in farming and fishing recorded 615,967 (18.28 per cent).
The commission also reported that 48,330 Persons with Disabilities registered during the period, reflecting efforts to promote inclusivity.
INEC, however, noted that the figure remains provisional, describing it as “a preliminary figure pending data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.”
Furthermore, the commission stated that voter registration remains suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on February 21.
It urged eligible Nigerians yet to register to visit its official portals to complete the process before the deadline.
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