The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released statistics from the first week of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) online pre-registration exercise, showing that a total of 1,379,342 Nigerians successfully completed the process between 18th and 24th August 2025.
According to the figures, Osun State recorded the highest number of pre-registrations with 393,269, representing 28.51% of the national total. Lagos State followed with 222,205 (16.11%), while Ogun State ranked third with 132,823 (9.63%). The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also recorded impressive numbers, with 107,682 registrants, accounting for 7.81% of the total.
Other states with significant participation include Kaduna (61,592 / 4.47%), Kogi (58,546 / 4.24%), Kwara (33,726 / 2.45%), Kebbi (35,009 / 2.54%), and Yobe (34,888 / 2.53%).
Meanwhile, some states recorded relatively low figures. Ebonyi had the least registrations with only 261 (0.02%), followed by Enugu with 484 (0.04%), Imo with 481 (0.03%), and Abia with 772 (0.06%).
The statistics reflect varying levels of awareness and mobilisation across states. States such as Delta (24,421 / 1.77%), Ekiti (29,685 / 2.15%), Niger (24,818 / 1.80%), and Borno (21,045 / 1.53%) also recorded modest but notable participation.
INEC noted that the online pre-registration exercise is a critical part of the voter registration process ahead of the next general elections, allowing eligible Nigerians to begin their registration online before completing biometrics at designated centres.
Analysts say the sharp contrast between states like Osun, Lagos, and Ogun compared to Ebonyi, Enugu, and Abia highlights the urgent need for increased sensitisation in the South-East and parts of the South-South to ensure wider participation.