Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally proposed a budget of N873.78 billion (approximately $560 million) to fund the 2027 general elections, submitting the request to the National Assembly for legislative appropriation.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the detailed estimates on Thursday before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters. The budget defence session was presided over by Senator Simon Bako Lalong and Hon. Adebayo Balogun. Prof. Amupitan stated that the early presentation aligns with the legal requirement for election funding to be secured at least 360 days before the polls, a timeline critical for thorough planning and the seamless execution of the nationwide electoral exercise.
A breakdown of the N873.78 billion proposal reveals that election operations receive the largest allocation, with N375.75 billion dedicated to direct field activities for the conduct of the polls. Administrative costs are budgeted at N92.31 billion. Reflecting INEC’s continued integration of technology, N209.21 billion is allocated to election technology systems. Capital expenditure, which covers long-term assets and infrastructure, is proposed at N154.90 billion—a significant increase compared to previous election cycles. Prof. Amupitan explained that this rise consolidates several capital items previously under-budgeted. These four core components total N832.17 billion, with an additional N41.61 billion set aside for miscellaneous expenses to reach the overall sum.
The Chairman noted that comprehensive documentation detailing specific activities and cost items under each heading has been provided to the committees. The proposal now enters the legislative scrutiny phase, where the National Assembly will review and ultimately approve the funds necessary for INEC to prepare for the 2027 general elections, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic process.
