The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported a marked surge in voter enrolment in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with over 1.2 million Nigerians newly registered as of 13 February 2026, signalling rising civic participation ahead of future elections. According to an official INEC update posted on its X handle, a total of 1,228,648 eligible citizens have fully completed registration during Phase II, Week Six of the process — a significant increase from the 884,737 registrations recorded at the close of Week Five.
INEC’s data shows a blend of digital and physical engagement, with 673,124 registrants beginning the process through online pre-registration and 555,524 completing their registration in person at designated centres nationwide. This dual-track approach reflects INEC’s efforts to make the registration process more accessible and user-friendly across the country.
A state-by-state breakdown of the figures reveals that Jigawa State topped the list with the highest number of new registrants — 98,698, representing about 8.03 % of the total. Lagos State followed with 86,307, and Sokoto State recorded 77,004 new voters. Kano State also featured prominently with 71,990 registrants, underscoring strong participation in both northern and southern regions.
INEC’s demographic figures show that women made up the majority of new registrants, with 696,891 (57 %) female participants compared with 531,757 (43 %) male. Young Nigerians aged 18–34 years constituted a substantial 69 % (848,066) of the total, indicating growing enthusiasm among youth in shaping the nation’s political future. The commission also noted that 19,414 persons with disabilities (PWDs) completed their registration, reflecting efforts to broaden inclusivity.
The ongoing CVR exercise — which began on 5 January 2026 and is scheduled to run through April 2026 — is being conducted nationwide except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where registration remains temporarily suspended due to the 21 February Area Council elections. Phase II builds on gains from Phase I (August–December 2025), which added approximately 2.78 million voters to the national register.
INEC officials described the surge in registration figures as a positive indicator of increasing public engagement in the democratic process, particularly among first-time voters and historically under-represented groups. The commission also continues to encourage all eligible Nigerians yet to register — or who wish to transfer or update their voting details — to take advantage of the remaining weeks of the exercise.