The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a significant surge in voter registrations during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with over 1.2 million Nigerians completing registration in Phase II as of February 13, 2026.

According to INEC’s official update on its X handle, 1,228,648 eligible citizens have fully completed registration under Phase II, Week Six, up from 884,737 at the end of Week Five. Of this total, 673,124 began with online pre-registration, while 555,524 completed the process physically at designated centres.

States Leading Registrations

By state, Jigawa leads with 98,698 new voters (8.03%), followed by Lagos (86,307), Sokoto (77,004), and Kano (71,990). These figures show strong voter engagement across Nigeria, particularly in key states with high populations.

Gender, Age, and Inclusion

INEC reported that female registrants make up 57% (696,891), while male registrants account for 43% (531,757). Youth aged 18–34 represent 69% (848,066) of new voters, highlighting the growing participation of young Nigerians in the democratic process. Additionally, 19,414 persons with disabilities have registered nationwide.

CVR Exercise Continues

The CVR continues nationwide except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where registration is suspended ahead of the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections. Phase II of the exercise began on January 5, 2026, and will run until April 2026, building on Phase I (August–December 2025), which added about 2.78 million voters to the national register.

The increasing numbers reflect growing civic awareness in Nigeria, with youth and women driving much of the surge, signaling an engaged electorate ahead of future elections.