Lagos and Osun Top List as 1.3 Million Nigerians Register for PVCs Online
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 1.3 million Nigerians have successfully completed their online pre-registration for Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) within just one week of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
According to INEC’s State Pre-Registration Report, released on Monday, August 25, the exercise recorded 1,379,342 entries between August 18 and 24, 2025, with Lagos and Osun states leading participation nationwide.
Osun State recorded the highest participation by percentage, with 393,269 registrants (28.51 percent).
Lagos State followed closely, recording 222,205 entries (16.11 percent).
Ogun State emerged third, with 132,823 registrations (9.63 percent).
Other high-ranking states included:
FCT Abuja – 107,682 (7.81 percent)
Oyo – 66,951 (4.85 percent)
Kaduna – 61,592 (4.47 percent)
Kogi – 58,546 (4.24 percent)
North Central: Kogi emerged strong with 58,546, while Niger (24,818), Nasarawa (11,555), Plateau (6,586), and Benue (7,305) posted moderate figures.
North West: Kaduna’s 61,592 was the region’s highest, followed by Kebbi (35,009), Sokoto (12,478), Katsina (11,004), Kano (10,166), Jigawa (8,243), and Zamfara (2,947).
North East: Yobe stood out with 34,888, alongside Borno (21,045), Bauchi (13,066), Gombe (4,103), Taraba (2,395), and Adamawa (2,155).
South South: Delta led with 24,421, followed by Rivers (11,314), Akwa Ibom (12,373), Cross River (4,055), Bayelsa (4,638), Edo (2,875), and Ondo (3,426).
South East: The lowest figures came from this region, with Ebonyi recording just 261 – the least in the country. Enugu (484), Imo (481), and Abia (772) also posted poor turnouts. Anambra’s figures were not listed separately in the report.
INEC confirmed that the physical phase of the CVR commenced on Monday across 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 LGA offices and State offices.
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This phase requires applicants to complete their registration in person for biometric capture. It also accommodates transfers of voter registration across states or within LGAs, replacement of lost or damaged PVCs, and updates of personal details.
“The exercise will run Mondays to Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,” INEC stated, adding that citizens aged 18 and above who have never registered before are eligible. Provisions have also been made to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
INEC reminded citizens that its online portal, www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, remains open for PVC pre-registration, checking PVC status, locating registration centres, transferring voter information, replacing lost or damaged PVCs, and updating personal details.
This surge in online voter registration suggests Nigerians are gearing up early for the 2027 general elections, with Lagos and Osun setting the pace.
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE1,379,342 NIGERIANS PRE-REGISTER IN ONE WEEK AS IN-PERSON REGISTRATION COMMENCES TODAYThe nationwide online pre-registration of voters commenced on Monday 18th August 2025. As at yesterday, Sunday 24th August 2025, a total of 1,379 342 Nigerians registered nationwide in just one week.As promised, the Commission is glad to publish the first weekly update of the exercise by providing details of the registration by State, gender, age, occupation and disability.The breakdown of the online pre-registrations shows that 661,846 (47.96%) are male and 717,856 (52.04%) are female. Young people between the ages of 18 and 34 constitute the majority of the registrants with 860,286 (62.37%). In terms of occupation, 374,534 (27.15%) are students while the figure for persons with disability is 27,089 (1.96%). Full details have been published on our website and other official platforms for public information.Meanwhile, physical registration kicks off today in our 811 State and Local Government offices nationwide. This will afford those who prefer the in-person option to register at the centres and those who chose the online pre-registration method to complete their registration.Once again, the Commission appeals to the public that the ongoing voter registration is only open to Nigerian citizens who are at least 18 years old and who are not registered voters. Double or multiple registration is a violation of the law. However, inter-State/FCT and intra-State/FCT transfer of voters as well as the replacement of lost or damaged voters cards are allowed during the CVR.The exercise will continue for one year until 30th August 2026. However, the Commission urged all intending registrants not to wait until the deadline approaches when, from experience, the registration centres are inundated by eleventh hour registrants amidst appeals for extension of time.Sam Olumekun mniNational Commissioner and Chairman, Information &Voter Education CommitteeMonday 25th August 2025