The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that 9,324,349 young Nigerians were newly registered during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercises, as it unveiled nine returning and new INEC Youth Ambassadors (IYAs) in a renewed drive to deepen youth engagement and boost participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the disclosure at the investiture ceremony of the newly appointed Youth Ambassadors in Abuja on Wednesday 30th September, 2026. He was represented by the National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus.
Prof. Amupitan said the figure underscored the growing importance of youth participation in the electoral process, stressing that the active involvement of young Nigerians was vital to strengthening and sustaining democracy.
“This figure reinforces the critical role of active youth participation in Nigeria’s electoral process, which also helps in shaping electoral outcomes and strengthening public confidence in the democratic process,” he said.
He explained that the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors was aimed at deepening the Commission’s engagement with young Nigerians and broadening their participation in the electoral process.
“The appointment of these distinguished young Nigerians as INEC Youth Ambassadors is therefore a deliberate step towards strengthening the connection between the Commission and the youth population. We believe that the youths are more likely to engage with electoral information when it is communicated through credible, relatable and influential voices within their communities and social networks,” he noted.
The Chairman urged the ambassadors to use their influence to raise voter awareness, promote peaceful and responsible participation, counter electoral misinformation and encourage young people to play an active role in shaping the nation’s democratic future.
He further charged them to uphold integrity, impartiality and responsible citizenship in the discharge of their duties.
In his welcome address, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof. Kunle Ajayi, called on the Youth Ambassadors to speak against electoral violence and manipulation. He urged young people to protect their future and refuse to be used in activities that could endanger their lives or disrupt the electoral process.
Prof. Ajayi also charged the ambassadors to promote accurate electoral information and responsible online engagement.
“Information now travels rapidly, and a false claim about an election can reach thousands of people before a correction is issued. I therefore ask every Youth Ambassador to adopt a simple discipline: verify before you amplify,” he said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Emmanuel Olawande, represented by the Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department, Mrs Lami Bature, urged the ambassadors to promote electoral awareness, peaceful participation and responsible citizenship. She also called on them to join the fight against misinformation, disinformation and electoral violence, while upholding integrity, impartiality and respect for the rule of law.
In another goodwill message, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Oniru, represented by the Director, Civic Values and Democracy Education, Dr Olukemi Afolayan, urged the ambassadors to use their influence to promote civic responsibility, electoral integrity and peaceful participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Giving a strategic overview of the initiative, including the selection process and the expected roles of the ambassadors, the Director, Gender and Inclusivity (G&I) Department, Mrs Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said the INEC Youth Ambassadors Initiative was established in 2014 to connect the Commission with young Nigerians through credible and influential youth figures.
She explained that the ambassadors promote voter education, informed and peaceful participation, and responsible digital engagement. Ahead of the 2027 General Election, she said, the initiative was being strengthened to reach young and first-time voters through youth-friendly platforms, while countering misinformation, hate speech and electoral violence.
Speaking on the objectives of the investiture, the Deputy Director, Inclusivity, Haj. Habiba Abdulkareem Jatto, said the initiative would strengthen INEC’s partnership with influential young Nigerians and promote greater youth participation in the democratic process.
She added that the ambassadors were expected to advance democratic values, informed and peaceful participation and responsible digital engagement.
The nine ambassadors were drawn from the movie, music and comedy industries, and comprise returning ambassadors who have served the Commission for over a decade as well as newly appointed members.
They are Amal Umar, Christopher Yohanna (popularly known as Uncle CY), Alex Kool Ibeh (Mr Kool), Mike Godson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Seun Ajayi, Ibrahim Tukur Bello (Disability Is Not Inability), Sunday Agbaji and Ambassador Thompson Ukeki.
Highlights of the investiture included the presentation of certificates, plaques and ambassadorial mufflers, as well as the administration of the Oath of Commitment.
