Lagos, Kano and Kaduna have emerged as the three states with the highest number of registered voters ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, according to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Abuja while providing an update on the national voters’ register and the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to the figures, the national register has grown to more than 103 million registered voters, following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the commission’s biometric clean-up of the register.
Lagos tops the list
Lagos State occupies the number-one position with 7,488,633 registered voters, making it the state with the largest voting population in the country.
Kano follows with 6,570,276 voters, while Kaduna comes third with 4,662,640 registered voters.
The figures underline the significant electoral weight of the three states as political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
Top 10 states with the most registered voters
The latest figures released by INEC place the following states at the top:
- Lagos — 7,488,633
- Kano — 6,570,276
- Kaduna — 4,662,640
- Katsina — 3,876,051
- Rivers — 3,736,434
- Oyo — 3,588,111
- Delta — 3,525,988
- Benue — 3,057,225
- Ogun — 3,037,981
- Bauchi — 3,012,547
Why the figures matter
The distribution of registered voters across the states will be closely watched as political parties intensify their preparations for the 2027 elections.
States with large voter populations are particularly important to presidential candidates because of the size of their potential voting blocs. Lagos, Kano and Kaduna, in particular, are expected to attract considerable attention during campaigns and voter mobilisation.
The figures also provide political parties with an indication of where their mobilisation efforts could have the greatest electoral impact.
INEC prepares for 2027
The release of the voter figures comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The commission has completed the latest voter registration exercise and biometric clean-up, while arrangements are also underway for the distribution of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards to eligible voters. INEC previously announced October 9, 2026, as the date for nationwide PVC collection.
With political activity already gathering momentum, the latest voter register is expected to become an important reference point for parties, candidates and election observers as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 polls.
The size of the voter population in Lagos, Kano and Kaduna means the three states will likely remain key battlegrounds in the political contest ahead.
