INEC Turns to Youth Influencers As 9.3m New Voters Join Register
Nigeria’s 2027 election is already drawing millions of young people into the voter register, with 9,324,349 youths newly registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The figure was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday as INEC unveiled nine Youth Ambassadors in a renewed effort to take voter education beyond traditional platforms and into the spaces where young Nigerians communicate and consume information.
Representing INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus said the growing number of young voters underscored the importance of youth participation in strengthening democracy and public confidence in the electoral process.
The Commission said the ambassadors would use their reach to promote voter awareness, counter electoral misinformation, discourage violence and encourage responsible participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The initiative comes with a particular warning: “verify before you amplify.” INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, urged the ambassadors to challenge false election claims and resist attempts to use young people to fuel electoral violence or manipulation.
Established in 2014, the INEC Youth Ambassadors Initiative uses influential young Nigerians to connect the Commission with their peers through voter education and civic engagement.
The nine ambassadors, drawn from the entertainment and disability advocacy communities, include Amal Umar, Christopher Yohanna (Uncle CY), Alex Kool Ibeh (Mr Kool), Mike Godson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Seun Ajayi, Ibrahim Tukur Bello (Disability Is Not Inability), Sunday Agbaji and Ambassador Thompson Ukeki.
The investiture featured the presentation of certificates, plaques and ambassadorial mufflers, alongside the administration of the Oath of Commitment.
Meanwhile, INEC has presented the Certificate of Return to Hon. Kallamu MaiJama’a, winner of the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election held on 19 September 2026.
The certificate was presented at INEC headquarters in Abuja by the National Commissioner supervising Gombe State, Rear Adm. Jamila Abubakar Sadiq Malafa, (Rtd.).
MaiJama’a commended INEC for what he described as the free, fair and credible conduct of the election.
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