Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 General Election received a further boost on Monday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with support from the European Union, inaugurated a Mega Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Centre in Abuja to expand access to voter registration and encourage wider citizen participation.
Located at the Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Garki, the centre will operate daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. between July 13 and July 26, providing eligible residents of the Federal Capital Territory with an additional opportunity to register, transfer their records or replace damaged voter cards.
The initiative forms part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) programme, continuing a partnership between the European Union and Nigeria’s electoral institutions that began in 2019. Through successive phases of the programme, the European Union has supported efforts to strengthen electoral administration, promote voter participation and improve the credibility and inclusiveness of elections across the country.
Building on the gains of the Youth Vote Count 1.0 campaign in 2019 and Youth Vote Count 2.0 in 2023, the Mega CVR Centre represents the latest effort to ensure that more Nigerians, particularly young people, women, persons with disabilities and first-time voters, are able to participate in shaping the country’s democratic future. The initiative reflects the European Union’s continued commitment to strengthening inclusive democratic participation and expanding opportunities for citizens to engage in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the National Commissioner supervising the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, described the centre as a strategic intervention aimed at bringing voter registration closer to citizens.
“As part of our unwavering commitment to expanding access to voter registration and strengthening participatory democracy, the Commission is pleased to announce the establishment of a Mega CVR Registration Centre at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja,” he said.
Haruna explained that the exercise marks the third and final phase of voter registration in the FCT following the suspension of the process in October 2025 to facilitate preparations for the February 2026 Area Council elections.
He disclosed that the territory had already recorded significant progress.
“Since the commencement of this third phase, a total of 31,835 new voter registrations have been successfully completed across the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
According to the National Commissioner, the Mega Centre was established to reduce pressure on existing registration points, improve access for prospective registrants and ensure that no eligible citizen is excluded because of distance or congestion.
The inauguration also comes at a time when INEC is expanding the use of technology to simplify voter registration. Through its self-service registration platform, eligible Nigerians can now initiate and complete their registration online, including biometric capture, reducing the need for multiple visits to physical registration centres.
Haruna noted that the technology-driven approach would particularly benefit students, young professionals, persons with disabilities and citizens living in underserved communities.
For the European Union, the initiative represents another milestone in a broader effort to support democratic governance in Nigeria. Since the launch of the EU-SDGN programme in 2019, the Union has worked alongside INEC, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen electoral institutions, support voter education and encourage active citizenship.
The programme played an important role in preparations for the 2019 general elections and was subsequently expanded under EU-SDGN II ahead of the 2023 elections, supporting nationwide voter education campaigns, institutional reforms and civic engagement initiatives. The current voter registration exercise is intended to consolidate those gains as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle in 2027.
Commenting on the initiative, Laolu Olawumi, Governance and Gender Adviser at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting democratic participation in Nigeria.
“The European Union remains committed to supporting inclusive, credible and participatory democratic processes in Nigeria. Through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, we are proud to partner with INEC and other stakeholders to expand access to voter registration and strengthen citizen participation.
“The inauguration of this Mega Continuous Voter Registration Centre demonstrates our shared determination to ensure that every eligible Nigerian has the opportunity to make their voice heard. Strong democracies depend on active citizens, and voter registration is the first step towards building institutions that reflect the aspirations of the people,” Olawumi said.
Haruna expressed appreciation to the European Union for its continued support to Nigeria’s democratic institutions and acknowledged the contribution of implementing partners to the initiative.
He also called on civil society organisations, religious and traditional institutions, youth groups, educational institutions and the media to intensify public awareness efforts and encourage eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the exercise before it closes on July 26.
“Take advantage of this extended period of the CVR exercise to register and be eligible to participate in choosing those who govern,” he added.
