INEC Records 9.3m New Youth Voters, Unveils Ambassadors

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded 9,324,349 new young voters in the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), as it moves to strengthen youth participation ahead of the 2027 general election.

The commission disclosed the figure on Wednesday in Abuja while unveiling nine returning and newly appointed INEC Youth Ambassadors.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, represented by National Commissioner Prof Rhoda Gumus, said the number showed the growing importance of young Nigerians in the electoral process.

He said the commission created the ambassadorial initiative to build stronger links with young voters through voices they can relate to.

“This figure reinforces the critical role of active youth participation in Nigeria’s electoral process,” Amupitan said.

He added that the commission expected the ambassadors to promote voter awareness and responsible participation.

The chairman also urged them to counter electoral misinformation and encourage young Nigerians to take an active role in the democratic process.

He charged the ambassadors to uphold integrity, impartiality and responsible citizenship in their engagements.

Earlier, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof Kunle Ajayi, urged the ambassadors to speak out against electoral violence and manipulation.

Ajayi also warned young Nigerians against allowing themselves to become tools for disrupting elections.

He stressed the need for responsible online engagement as political information increasingly spreads through social media.

“Verify before you amplify,” Ajayi told the ambassadors, warning that false electoral claims could reach thousands before corrections emerge.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilisation, Mrs Lami Bature, also urged the ambassadors to promote peaceful participation.

She called on them to support efforts against misinformation, disinformation and electoral violence.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by Dr Olukemi Afolayan, urged the ambassadors to promote civic responsibility and electoral integrity.

The Director of Gender and Inclusivity at INEC, Mrs Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the Youth Ambassadors Initiative began in 2014.

She explained that the initiative connects the commission with young Nigerians through credible and influential youth figures.

According to her, the ambassadors promote voter education, peaceful participation and responsible digital engagement.

Bello said INEC was strengthening the initiative ahead of 2027 to reach young and first-time voters through youth-friendly platforms.

The commission also expects the ambassadors to help tackle misinformation, hate speech and electoral violence.

The nine ambassadors include Amal Umar, Christopher Yohanna, popularly known as Uncle CY, and Alex Kool Ibeh, also known as Mr Kool.

Others are Mike Godson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Seun Ajayi, Ibrahim Tukur Bello, Sunday Agbaji and Thompson Ukeki.

The ambassadors were drawn from the movie, music and comedy industries. Some have previously served as INEC youth ambassadors.

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.

The commission presented the certificate at its headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

National Commissioner supervising Gombe State, Rear Adm. Jamila Abubakar Sadiq Malafa, represented the INEC chairman at the ceremony.

MaiJama’a won the September 19 bye-election with 41,121 votes. The election filled the House of Representatives seat left vacant after the death of former lawmaker Yaya Bauchi-Tongo.

The new member commended INEC for the conduct of the election, describing the exercise as free, fair and credible.

The bye-election covered 903 polling units across 31 registration areas in Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye local government areas.