Nigeria’s 2027 general election is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027 (Presidential and National Assembly) and Saturday, February 6, 2027 (Governorship and State Assembly), under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s revised timetable. Confirmed presidential candidates include Bola Ahmed Tinubu, incumbent President of Nigeria (All Progressives Congress); Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (African Democratic Congress); Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State (Nigeria Democratic Party); and Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria (a Peoples Democratic Party faction).
Nigeria’s next general election cycle is already taking shape more than a year out from the first ballot. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s statutory electoral body, has issued a full timetable, party primaries have produced a growing list of confirmed presidential candidates, and voter registration is underway nationwide. This guide breaks down the dates, the candidates, and what happens between now and election day, and is updated as new developments are confirmed.
When Is Nigeria’s 2027 General Election?
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revised its original timetable in February 2026 after the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which changed several statutory deadlines. The election dates moved earlier as a direct result of this legal change.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Presidential & National Assembly ElectionsKey Date | Saturday, January 16, 2027 |
| Governorship & State Assembly ElectionsKey Date | Saturday, February 6, 2027 |
| Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) | April 2026 – January 2027 |
| Party Primaries & Congresses | July 1 – September 30, 2026 |
| Candidate List Submission | October 1 – 31, 2026 |
| Final Candidate List Published | November 15, 2026 |
| Campaigns Begin (Presidential/NASS) | November 18, 2026 |
| Campaigns Begin (Governorship/State) | December 15, 2026 |
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the earlier dates, originally February 20 and March 6, 2027, partly clashed with the Ramadan fasting period, which was one factor behind the schedule being moved forward. All campaign activity must legally end 24 hours before polls open.
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Who Is Running for President in 2027?
Several major candidates have already emerged from party primaries and conventions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu (All Progressives Congress) – the incumbent President of Nigeria, seeking a second term after winning the party’s direct primary in 2026.
- Atiku Abubakar (African Democratic Congress) – former Vice President of Nigeria, declared winner of the ADC presidential primary after a contested collation process, and a six-time presidential contender.
- Peter Obi (Nigeria Democratic Party) – former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, who has moved to the Nigeria Democratic Party for 2027 after earlier coalition talks with Atiku Abubakar’s camp did not result in a joint ticket.
- Goodluck Jonathan – former President of Nigeria, ratified as a consensus candidate by a Peoples Democratic Party faction led by Tanimu Turaki, though this followed a disputed convention process.
Peter Obi has publicly ruled out a joint ticket with Atiku Abubakar, pledging to run independently and serve only one term if elected. Both camps have denied ongoing alliance talks despite persistent speculation. A Nigeria Elections tracking project counted at least 17 declared or expected presidential candidates as of mid-2026, though only a handful are considered major contenders.
What Changed Under the Electoral Act 2026?
The Electoral Act 2026 adjusted several statutory timelines that previously governed how far in advance the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had to fix election dates and complete pre-election activities. INEC cited this legal change as the direct reason for moving the presidential election from the original February 20, 2027 date to January 16, 2027, a shift of more than a month. The commission also rescheduled the Osun State governorship election from August 8 to August 15, 2026, as part of the same realignment.
How Nigeria’s State Elections Have Looked Ahead of 2027
State-level elections held under the current INEC timetable offer an early look at turnout and competitiveness heading into 2027. In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke won reelection on the Accord Party platform, defeating APC’s Bola Oyebamiji by a margin of just over 66,000 votes out of nearly one million valid votes cast, a result that shows these races remain competitive rather than guaranteed for any single party.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is Nigeria’s next presidential election?
Saturday, January 16, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s revised timetable issued in February 2026
Who are the main candidates for president in 2027?
The most prominent confirmed candidates so far are Bola Ahmed Tinubu (All Progressives Congress), Atiku Abubakar (African Democratic Congress), Peter Obi (Nigeria Democratic Party), and Goodluck Jonathan (a Peoples Democratic Party faction), though INEC’s final candidate list will not be published until November 15, 2026.
How can I register to vote or update my voter card in Nigeria?
Continuous Voter Registration is open nationwide from April 2026 through January 2027, covering new registrations, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) replacements, transfers between polling units, and updates for anyone turning 18 before the election.
This page is updated as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes further guidance and as more candidates are officially confirmed. For related coverage, see our full breakdown of the 2026 Osun governorship election result.