The mission was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s level of preparedness, identifying gaps and determining areas where the AU could provide support ahead of the 2027 elections
By Mmesoma Onwuka
The African Union (AU) has commenced an assessment of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, focusing on critical areas that could determine the credibility, transparency and effectiveness of the electoral process.
The assessment is being conducted as part of the AU Pre-Election and Needs Assessment Mission to Nigeria, which is scheduled to run from September 13 to 19, 2026.
The delegation, led by former Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of its engagement with key stakeholders ahead of the elections.
INEC’s Acting Chairman, Professor Rhoda Gumus, received the delegation on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.
Speaking during the engagement, Mekonnen said the mission was aimed at assessing Nigeria’s level of preparedness, identifying gaps and determining areas where the AU could provide support ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the assessment would cover voter registration, electoral technology, logistics, funding, inclusion, transparency, security, electoral disputes and result management.
According to him, developments leading up to election day remain crucial to the credibility of the entire electoral process, particularly the quality of the voter register, transparency and public confidence.
“We want to facilitate support and identify gaps, and for possible remedies and corrections for the successful election process,” Mekonnen said.
Gumus said the engagement demonstrated the shared commitment of INEC and the AU to strengthening democratic standards and promoting credible electoral governance in Nigeria.
She disclosed that the 2027 general elections would involve a voter population approaching 100 million, 176,846 polling units and more than 1.4 million personnel.
The Acting Chairman noted that recent off-cycle elections had provided opportunities for INEC to test reforms introduced under the new electoral legal framework.
She said technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the IReV results viewing portal remained integral to the Commission’s electoral administration efforts, alongside collaboration with security agencies.
On the voters’ register, Gumus said INEC was working with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) through the Continuous Voter Registration Portal to audit, verify and clean the register ahead of the elections.
She, however, acknowledged the technological, logistical and political challenges associated with conducting elections on the scale and geographical complexity of Nigeria.
Gumus identified several areas where AU support could strengthen the Commission’s preparations. These include digital training for ad hoc personnel, e-learning tools, ICT simulations, election monitoring systems, counter-disinformation measures, artificial intelligence-based deepfake detection and strategic communication.
She also called for stronger support for inclusion and gender mainstreaming, particularly for persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, women and other groups that remain underrepresented in the electoral process.
Gumus assured the AU delegation that INEC would continue to engage stakeholders throughout the mission, including political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, media executives and development partners.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to independence, neutrality and professionalism, stressing that its administrative decisions would continue to be guided by the law.
The Acting Chairman further maintained that INEC remained committed to delivering a 2027 general election that reflects the sovereign choice of Nigerian voters.