From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, unveiled the official timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, providing clarity on the nation’s electoral schedule.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced at a news conference on Friday in Abuja that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections are slated for Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Prof. Amupitan noted that the commission had finalised the election timetable and related activities despite delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. While INEC has submitted its proposals, he explained, some items in the schedule could be affected depending on when the legislation is enacted.
On Thursday, the Commission informed the National Assembly that it required a record ₦873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections, warning that adequate funding is critical to avoid operational disruptions.
According to Amupitan, the ₦873.78 billion covers the full conduct of national elections, while an additional ₦171 billion is required to support INEC’s routine operations in 2026, including by-elections and off-season polls.
The almost ₦1 trillion election budget is structured across five key areas, including ₦379.75 billion for operational costs, ₦92.32 billion for administrative costs, ₦209.21 billion for technological costs, ₦154.91 billion for election capital costs and ₦42.61 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
