The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could require as much as N870 billion (about $600 million) to successfully conduct Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, according to a projection by Professor Bolade Eyinla, former Chief Technical Adviser to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Eyinla shared the estimate during his keynote speech at the Yiaga Africa 2027 Elections Scenarios and Election Manipulation Risk Index (EMRI) Retreat held in Abuja.
His address came shortly after Prof. Yakubu completed his tenure as INEC chairman on October 7, 2025.
He emphasized that Nigerian elections are among the largest peacetime civil operations globally, requiring massive financial, technical, and logistical resources.
The projected N870 billion cost considers inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, and expanded electoral operations.
“This is a country with over 93 million registered voters, 176,846 polling units, and 1,558 constituencies,” he said.
“At about $6.72 per voter, the projected cost is in line with global standards for transitional democracies.”
Eyinla provided a historical comparison of previous election budgets;
2015: N109 billion (US$662 million)
2019: N189 billion (US$619 million)
2023: N355 billion (US$628 million)
He argued that despite perceptions, Nigeria’s per-voter cost remains low compared to other African democracies:
Kenya: $25.9 (2017), $14.9 (2022)
Ghana: $13.1 (2016), $7.7 (2020)
South Africa: $5.1 (2019), $7.1 (2024)
DR Congo: $22 and $14.37 (2023)
Liberia: $22 (2023)
India: $8.5 (2019)
Eyinla stressed that, under the Electoral Act 2022 (Section 3(3)), election funding must be made available at least one year before the polls.
For 2027, this means budget allocations should be spread across the 2025, 2026, and 2027 fiscal years.
He also pointed out that in 2023, around 35% of the election budget went to technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), AFIS and ABIS devices, and similar or increased costs are expected in 2027.
Logistical challenges include delivering election materials to over 200,000 locations, some in hard-to-reach or conflict-prone areas.
This requires partnerships with private service providers for transport (boats, aircraft, vehicles) and armed security escorts.
Eyinla concluded that while the projected cost is high, prudent financial management is key to ensuring credible, secure, and cost-effective elections.
