Tinubu Proposes ₦1.01 Trillion for INEC in 2026 Budget Ahead of 2027 Elections

Tinubu Proposes ₦1.01 Trillion for INEC in 2026 Budget Ahead of 2027 Elections
Tinubu presented a total budget of ₦58.18 trillion, tagged “Budget of Consolidation
Professor Bolade Eyinla projected that the 2027 general elections could cost about ₦870 billion

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proposed an allocation of ₦1,013,778,401,602 to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the allocation, one of the largest ever proposed for the electoral body, is contained in details of the 2026 budget released by the Budget Office of the Federation.

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Tinubu had earlier presented a total budget of ₦58.18 trillion, tagged “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” with projected revenue of ₦34.33 trillion and total expenditure of ₦58.18 trillion, including ₦15.52 trillion earmarked for debt servicing.

The proposed funding for INEC comes amid longstanding calls by the commission for early and adequate release of election funds to ensure credible polls. Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates that funds for general elections be released to INEC at least one year before the polls.

Analysts note that the proposed allocation will be tested by extensive logistical requirements ahead of the 2027 elections, including procurement of election technology, voter education, training, and nationwide deployment of personnel.

INEC’s election costs have risen steadily over the years. The commission spent about ₦109 billion on the 2015 general elections, ₦189 billion in 2019, and ₦313.4 billion for the 2023 elections, out of the ₦355 billion approved.

Tinubu Proposes ₦1.01 Trillion for INEC in 2026 Budget Ahead of 2027 Elections

In 2025, the National Assembly also revised INEC’s budget upward to ₦140 billion from an initial ₦40 billion proposal.

Speaking previously at a Yiaga Africa retreat in Abuja, a former Chief Technical Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Professor Bolade Eyinla, projected that the 2027 general elections could cost about ₦870 billion, citing inflation, currency fluctuations, and Nigeria’s large voter population of over 93 million registered voters.

Eyinla noted that despite the rising figures, Nigeria’s cost per voter remains comparatively low when measured against other African countries and emerging democracies, stressing that prudent resource management would be critical to achieving credible elections in 2027.