Young Nigerians are making up a smaller share of the country’s registered electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite the country’s youthful population.
The latest voter register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that Nigerians aged 18 to 34 account for 29,777,576 registered voters, representing 28.79 percent of the more than 103 million voters.
This is a notable decline from the 2023 register, when the same age group accounted for 37,060,399 voters, or 39.65 percent of the 93,469,008 registered voters. INEC’s official 2023 election report confirms the earlier figure.
Middle-aged voters now dominate
Voters aged 35 to 49 now form the largest age group, with 43,265,946 people, representing 41.83 percent of the register.
Those aged 50 to 69 account for 22.22 percent, while voters aged 70 and above represent 7.16 percent.
Overall, voters below 50 still make up more than 70 percent of the registered electorate, but the shift in age distribution means young adults aged 18 to 34 no longer form the largest group.
INEC said the register grew following three phases of Continuous Voter Registration conducted between August 2025 and July 2026. The exercise produced more than 10.7 million new registrations before biometric verification.
Declining youth participation raises concern
The decline in the proportion of young registered voters comes alongside a longer-term fall in electoral turnout.
INEC’s data show that presidential election turnout dropped from 43.6 percent in 2015 to 34.7 percent in 2019 and 26.7 percent in 2023. The commission has previously identified declining voter participation as a major concern ahead of the 2027 elections.
The trend has prompted concerns about whether younger Nigerians feel sufficiently connected to the electoral process.
Political economist Pat Utomi has warned that declining confidence in electoral institutions can discourage citizens from participating, arguing that elections are important to the legitimacy of government.
However, the reasons behind youth participation are broader than registration figures alone. Concerns around electoral credibility, economic pressures, security, political engagement and confidence in institutions can all affect whether registered voters ultimately turn out on election day.
Nigeria’s youthful population versus its electorate
Nigeria remains one of the world’s youngest countries, making the changing composition of its voter register particularly significant.
The 2023 register showed young people aged 18 to 34 as the largest age category, accounting for nearly 40 percent of registered voters.
The latest figures suggest that while Nigeria’s overall electorate has expanded, the growth has not translated into a larger share for the youngest voting group.
For the 2027 elections, the challenge will therefore extend beyond increasing the number of registered voters. Political parties, electoral institutions and civic organisations will also need to address the factors that influence whether young Nigerians remain engaged and participate in the voting process.
INEC has said a preliminary register will be displayed nationwide from October 9 to 15, allowing voters to inspect their details and raise claims or objections before the final register is produced. The commission’s official election calendar lists the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.
SEO Title: Youth Share Falls to 28.79% in Nigeria’s 103m Voter Register
Meta Description: Nigerians aged 18–34 now make up 28.79% of the voter register, down from 39.65% in 2023, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
