INEC, NOA Forge Strong Partnership To Boost Voter Education Ahead Of 2027 General Election

By Oluwaseun Omidiran 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has stressed that effective voter education and civic enlightenment will be crucial to the success of Nigeria’s 2027 General Election. 

He declared that the Commission cannot build a credible democracy without the active collaboration of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Speaking on Wednesday at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja while receiving the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on a courtesy visit; Amupitan described the meeting as more than a ceremonial engagement. 

He said it marked the coming together of two institutions constitutionally mandated to deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture.

The INEC Chairman noted that although the Commission has invested heavily in modern electoral technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). 

He described the innovations as the means through which to achieve success and citizens understands the electoral process and actively participate in elections.

According to him, the NOA remains a strategic partner in promoting civic responsibility, democratic values, and voter education across the country due to its grassroots presence and ability to communicate effectively with Nigerians in their various local languages.

Amupitan cited provisions of the National Orientation Agency Act which empower the agency to promote democratic values, educate citizens on their civic responsibilities, discourage electoral malpractice and corruption, and mobilize Nigerians for patriotic participation in national affairs.

He expressed concern over the growing trend of voter apathy, public cynicism, and the spread of fake news and misinformation, describing them as major threats to Nigeria’s electoral process.

“We must work together to educate Nigerians on why every vote matters and reassure them that the current technological safeguards have significantly strengthened the credibility and transparency of elections,” he said.

The INEC Chairman revealed that recent elections, including the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, demonstrated significant improvements in electoral administration. Over 90 percent of polling units opened early, biometric accreditation using BVAS was successful, and results were uploaded to the IReV portal in a timely manner.

However, he noted that the elections also exposed persistent voter apathy and widespread confusion among many voters, particularly urban residents, over polling unit changes and voter registration transfers.

According to him, the situation underscores the urgent need for sustained voter education well ahead of the 2027 general election.

Amupitan also commended Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu for bringing a modern communication approach to the National Orientation Agency, expressing confidence that the agency would effectively engage Nigeria’s large youth population through innovative and digital civic education campaigns.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the INEC Chairman disclosed that preparations had already commenced. He noted that the presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

He called for a stronger institutional partnership between INEC’s Voter Education Department and the communication teams of the NOA to jointly combat vote-buying, electoral misinformation, and other threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

Amupitan assured the NOA of INEC’s full cooperation, promising to provide the agency with the necessary institutional support, technical information, and relevant data required to strengthen voter education nationwide.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration between both institutions would usher in a new era of civic awareness and increased citizens’ participation in the country’s democratic process.

The courtesy visit was attended by National Commissioners of INEC, the Secretary to the Commission, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, senior management staff of both organisations, technical aides, directors, and members of the INEC Press Corps.