The South West has emerged top in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ongoing online voter pre-registration exercise, recording over 61 per cent of applications in the first week.
INEC disclosed that between August 18 and 24, 2025, it received 1,379,342 applications nationwide, with the South West alone accounting for 848,359 pre-registrations.
According to the figures released on Monday, Osun State led the country with 393,269 applications, followed by Lagos (222,205) and Ogun (132,823). Other states in the region include Oyo (66,951), Ekiti (29,685), and Ondo (3,426).
In contrast, the South East recorded the lowest turnout with just 64,696 applications.
Anambra accounted for almost the entire figure with 62,698, while Abia (772), Ebonyi (261), Enugu (484), and Imo (481) posted extremely low numbers.
The South South came second overall with 169,377 applications, while in the North, the North Central zone (including the FCT) led with 243,768 pre-registrations driven largely by the FCT’s 107,682 and Kogi’s 58,546.
The North West recorded 145,490, while the North East posted the lowest northern turnout with 77,652, representing just 5.6 per cent of the national total.
INEC data further revealed that southern Nigeria contributed 66.2% (912,432) of registrations, compared to 33.8% (466,910) from the North.
On demographics, youths aged 18–34 dominated with 62.37% (860,286) of applicants. Middle-aged citizens (35–49 years) made up 24.76%, the elderly (50–69) 11.41%, and those above 70 years 1.46%.
Women slightly outnumbered men with 52.04% (717,856) compared to 47.96% (661,486). By occupation, students topped the chart at 27.15%, followed by businesspersons (24.82%), traders (11.68%), artisans (10.12%), and farmers/fishers (9.23%). Civil servants and public servants collectively accounted for less than five per cent.
INEC noted that the figures represent online pre-registration only, stressing that applicants must complete the process at physical registration centres to be added to the official voter register.
The commission confirmed that physical registration commenced on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 811 centres nationwide, including all 774 Local Government Area offices and state offices, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.