General News
2027: 9.3m Nigerian Youths Register To Vote As INEC Unveils New Ambassadors
By Iyojo Ameh
No fewer than 9,324,349 young Nigerians have newly registered as voters during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed.
The Commission disclosed the figure on Wednesday in Abuja as it unveiled nine new and returning INEC Youth Ambassadors ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, who was represented by National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said the registration figure highlighted the growing importance of young Nigerians to the country’s electoral process.
According to Amupitan, increased youth participation could contribute to shaping electoral outcomes and strengthening public confidence in democracy.
He said the Youth Ambassadors initiative was designed to strengthen INEC’s engagement with young Nigerians by using credible and relatable voices to disseminate electoral information through communities and social media networks.
The INEC chairman charged the ambassadors to promote voter awareness, peaceful participation and responsible citizenship, while helping to counter electoral misinformation.
He also urged them to maintain integrity and impartiality as they carry out their roles ahead of the 2027 election.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, warned young Nigerians against electoral violence and manipulation.
Ajayi urged the ambassadors to use their platforms to discourage young people from allowing themselves to be used for activities capable of endangering their lives or disrupting the electoral process.
He equally stressed the need for responsible digital engagement, warning that false electoral information could spread rapidly before corrections reach the public.
“Verify before you amplify,” Ajayi told the ambassadors.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Emmanuel Olawande, represented by Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department, Mrs Lami Bature, urged the ambassadors to promote electoral awareness, peaceful participation and respect for the rule of law.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by Dr Olukemi Afolayan, also charged the ambassadors to promote civic responsibility, electoral integrity and peaceful participation.
The Director of INEC’s Gender and Inclusivity Department, Mrs Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the Youth Ambassadors Initiative was established in 2014 to connect the Commission with young Nigerians through influential youth figures.
She said the programme was being strengthened ahead of the 2027 election to reach young and first-time voters through platforms they readily engage with, while addressing misinformation, hate speech and electoral violence.
The nine ambassadors, drawn from the entertainment industry, include Amal Umar, Christopher Yohanna, popularly known as Uncle CY, Alex Kool Ibeh, also known as Mr Kool, Mike Godson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Seun Ajayi, Ibrahim Tukur Bello, Sunday Agbaji and Ambassador Thompson Ukeki.
The event featured the presentation of certificates, plaques and ambassadorial mufflers, as well as the administration of the Oath of Commitment.
INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Gombe Member Elect
In a separate development, INEC has presented a Certificate of Return to Hon. Kallamu MaiJama’a, who won the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election held on September 19.
The certificate was presented by the National Commissioner supervising Gombe State, Rear Adm. Jamila Abubakar Sadiq Malafa, Mni, OFR (Rtd.), at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
MaiJama’a commended INEC for the conduct of the election, describing the exercise as free, fair and credible.
