The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a request for the certified true copy of the National Register of Voters and existing polling units across Nigeria — but with a staggering price tag of over ₦1.5 billion for its production.
The development was contained in a letter dated October 13, 2025, and signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) application submitted by V-C Ottakopkpu & Associates on October 8, 2025.
According to the letter, INEC approved the application pursuant to Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022, granting access to the National Register of Voters and all existing polling units in every electoral ward in the country.
“The Commission has approved your request for a copy of the National Register of Voters for the entire country and the existing polling Units in all the Electoral Wards in Nigeria pursuant to section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022,” the letter stated.
INEC, however, pegged the cost of producing the requested materials at a total of ₦1,505,901,750 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Five Million, Nine Hundred and One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira only).
“You are hereby requested to pay the sum of One Billion, Five Hundred and Five Million, Nine Hundred and One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira only (₦1,505,901,750) being the cost of production of the above,” the letter read in part.
The Commission directed the applicant to make payment through the Remita platform and submit proof of payment before the request can be processed.
“Kindly pay the said amount into INEC Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) and present the proof of payment (e-receipt) in order to proceed with your request,” it added.
While assuring the applicant of its readiness to comply with the FOI Act, INEC emphasized that the production of such a massive data set involves significant logistical costs.
“Accept the assurances of the Commission’s regards please,” the letter concluded.
The whopping fee has already triggered conversations among legal experts and civil society advocates who argue that the cost could discourage transparency and undermine citizens’ access to electoral data guaranteed under the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
