Nigeria: Ahead of 2027 Elections - Youth Vote At Risk As 52% of Young Nigerians Unregistered

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a survey reveals that 52.1% of the country's young voters, aged 18 to 21, are not registered to participate in the electoral process. This figure increases to 59% among younger respondents, highlighting a significant disparity between Nigeria's youthful population and their electoral engagement.

The findings were shared during an online discussion titled 'Next Gen YARN: Why Youths Matter in the 2027 Elections and What Is Holding Them Back,' organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) on August 7, 2026. The survey pointed to several obstacles that prevent young Nigerians from voting, such as lengthy queues, distant registration centers, technical difficulties with the INEC portal, poor internet connectivity, and a lack of trust in the electoral system.

Young people also shared their concerns about the electoral system, and the conversation included a panel discussion with INEC officials, program officers, and journalists who discussed the various factors contributing to youth disengagement in elections, including a distrust of electoral institutions, young people's desire for quick and easy solutions, and gaps in civic education targeted at young audiences.

To increase young people's participation in elections, experts emphasized the importance of greater transparency, easier voter registration, and more youth representation in governance. They also stressed the need for better civic education programs and greater government efforts to build trust with the public, including the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and increased engagement in youth-focused spaces.