2027: INEC registers 9.3 million new young voters and unveils nine youth ambassadors

2027: INEC registers 9.3 million new young voters and unveils nine youth ambassadors

By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 9,324,349 Nigerian youths were recently registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), while unveiling nine new returning INEC Youth Ambassadors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The President of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the investiture of Youth Ambassadors in Abuja. He was represented by the National Commissioner, prof. Rhoda Gumus.

Amupitan said the figure highlights the growing importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s electoral process, stressing that the active involvement of young Nigerians remains critical to strengthening democracy and public confidence in elections.

He said the appointment of the ambassadors was a deliberate effort to strengthen INEC’s bond with Nigerian youths and expand their participation in the electoral process.

According to him, young people are more likely to engage with election information when it is communicated through credible, recognizable and influential voices within their communities and social networks.

The INEC Chairman charged the Ambassadors to leverage their influence to promote voter awareness, peaceful and responsible participation, combat electoral misinformation and encourage young Nigerians to take an active role in the country’s democratic process.

He further urged them to uphold integrity, impartiality and responsible citizenship in discharging their duties.

In his welcome speech, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the INEC Awareness and Partnership Committee, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, urged the ambassadors to speak out against violence and electoral manipulation.

Ajayi warned young Nigerians against allowing themselves to be used for activities that could endanger their lives or disrupt the electoral process.

He also instructed ambassadors to promote accurate election information and responsible online engagement.

“Information now travels quickly and a false claim about an election can reach thousands of people before a correction is issued. I therefore ask every youth ambassador to adopt a simple discipline: verify before amplifying,” he said.

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development,

Hon. Ayodele Emmanuel Olawande,

. Ayodele Emmanuel Olawande, represented by the Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilization Department, Mrs. Lami Bature, urged the ambassadors to promote electoral awareness, peaceful participation and responsible citizenship.

He further charged them to support efforts against disinformation, disinformation and electoral violence, while upholding integrity, impartiality and respect for the rule of law.

Likewise, the Director General of the National Guidance Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by the Director of Civic Values ​​and Democracy Education, Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, urged the ambassadors to use their influence to promote civic responsibility, electoral integrity and peaceful participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Giving an overview of the initiative, the Director of Gender and Inclusion, Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the INEC Youth Ambassadors Initiative was established in 2014 to bridge the gap between the Commission and young Nigerians through credible and influential youth figures.

He said the ambassadors promote voter education, informed and peaceful participation, and responsible digital engagement.

Bello added that ahead of the 2027 general elections, the initiative has been strengthened to reach youth and first-time voters through youth-friendly platforms, while addressing misinformation, hate speech and electoral violence.

Inclusivity deputy editor Haj. Habiba Abdulkareem Jatto, said the investiture was designed to strengthen INEC’s partnership with influential Nigerian youth and promote greater youth participation in the democratic process.

He said ambassadors are expected to promote democratic values, informed and peaceful participation and responsible digital engagement.

The nine ambassadors, drawn from the film, music and comedy industries, include returning ambassadors who have served the Commission for more than a decade, as well as newly appointed members.

I am Amal Umar; Christopher Yohanna (uncle CY); Alex Kool Ibeh (Mr. Kool); Mike Godson; Emmanuel Ikubese; Seun Ajayi; Ibrahim Tukur Bello (Disability is not inability); Sunday Agbaji; and Ambassador Thompson Ukeki.

The ceremony included the presentation of certificates, plaques and ambassadorial mufflers, as well as the delivery of the oath of commitment.