The Independent National Electoral Commission has informed the National Assembly that it will require N873.78 billion to conduct Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The commission also requested N171 billion to fund its routine activities in the 2026 fiscal year, including preparations for by-elections and off-cycle governorship polls.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and projected 2027 election costs before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.
According to Amupitan, the N873.78 billion estimate is intended to cover the full scope of activities required for the nationwide conduct of the 2027 general elections. This represents a significant increase compared to the N313.4 billion released by the Federal Government for the 2023 general elections.
Nigeria is expected to conduct general elections in 2027. Ahead of that, Ekiti and Osun states will hold governorship elections this year, alongside elections in the Federal Capital Territory and several by-elections.
The INEC chairman explained that the N171 billion proposed for 2026 would support the commission’s regular operations, logistics, voter register maintenance, and the conduct of off-cycle elections.
He noted, however, that the projected election budget does not yet reflect a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps for increased allowances for corps members who serve as ad hoc election staff during polls.
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