The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially kicked off a nationwide training programme aimed at deepening inclusive voter education across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
​The multi-day capacity-building initiative, launched on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Electoral Institute in Abuja, brings together electoral officers, gender focal persons, and voter education personnel from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Organised in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and supported by the High Commission of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the workshop focuses on ensuring no eligible citizen, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, youth, and marginalized groups, is left out of the electoral process.
​Speaking during the opening ceremony, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Sam Olumekun, emphasized the commission’s commitment to eliminating barriers to civic participation.
​”Our goal for the 2027 General Elections is to build an electoral framework where every Nigerian voice is heard and counted,” Olumekun stated.
Voter education must move beyond administrative routines; it must reach every corner of the country, from urban centers to remote communities, ensuring full accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and marginalized demographics.”
​Representing the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, Colton Bridges, First Secretary (Political Affairs), reaffirmed Canada’s dedication to supporting democratic integrity in Africa.
​”Inclusive elections are the bedrock of any thriving democracy,” Bridges noted. “Canada is proud to collaborate with INEC and IFES under the CFLI initiative to ensure that electoral information is accessible, transparent, and representative of all Nigerians as preparations for 2027 gather momentum.”
​The workshop modules cover strategies for grassroots outreach, combating election-related misinformation, deploying accessible communication technologies, and enforcing inclusive voting procedures at polling units nationwide.
The national training phase will run through Friday, October 9, 2026, before cascading down to state and local government area (LGA) levels in the coming weeks.
