By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, August 25, announced that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed the online pre-registration process during the first week of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise held between August 18 and 24, 2025.
The figures, contained in the CVR State Pre-Registration Report released to journalists, showed Lagos and Osun leading participation nationwide. Lagos recorded 222,205 pre-registrations, accounting for 16.11 percent of the total, while Osun registered 393,269, representing 28.51 percent, the highest by percentage. Ogun followed with 132,823 entries (9.63 percent). The Federal Capital Territory registered 107,682 (7.81 percent), Oyo recorded 66,951 (4.85 percent), Kaduna 61,592 (4.47 percent), and Kogi 58,546 (4.24 percent). Other states with notable figures included Kwara with 33,726, Kebbi 35,009, and Yobe 34,888.
The Lagos Voice reports that in the South-South, Delta contributed 24,421 pre-registrations, Rivers 11,314, and Akwa Ibom 12,373. Cross River registered 4,055, Bayelsa 4,638, Edo 2,875, and Ondo 3,426.
The North East also showed signs of interest from the residents, with Borno recording 21,045, Bauchi 13,066, Gombe 4,103, Taraba 2,395, and Adamawa 2,155, while Yobe’s 34,888 stood out. In the North West, Kaduna’s 61,592 was joined by Kano with 10,166, Katsina 11,004, Jigawa 8,243, Kebbi 35,009, Sokoto 12,478, and Zamfara 2,947.
In the North Central region, Niger recorded 24,818, Nasarawa 11,555, Plateau 6,586, Benue 7,305, and Kogi emerged as one of the highest nationwide with 58,546. The South East recorded the lowest participation overall. Ebonyi registered just 261 individuals, the least in the country. Enugu recorded 484, Imo 481, and Abia 772. Anambra’s figures were not listed separately in the report.
INEC confirmed that the physical phase of the CVR exercise commenced on Monday across the country. Both new applicants and those who pre-registered online are required to complete their enrolment in person at designated centres, where their biometrics will be captured. The commission reiterated that transfers of registration within or across states, as well as replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, are allowed during the exercise.
The statement read, “The CVR exercise will take place at 811 centres across the country, including all 774 Local Government Area offices and State offices.”
INEC also stated that registration will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Only Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above who have never registered before are eligible. INEC also said provisions have been made to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
The commission’s online portal, www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, provides services such as pre-registration, checking PVC status, locating registration centres, transferring voter information, replacing lost or damaged cards, and updating personal details.
