The United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in conducting elections that are credible and transparent.
Leading a UN delegation on a courtesy visit to the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, commended the Commission’s performance in emphatic terms.
Mr Fall, while praising INEC for the successful conduct of the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, urged the Commission to inform the UN on potential areas for support as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“We have been watching. We saw last weekend; it was a trial, it was a test, but it was a very successful one, and I want to congratulate you. I’m so proud of you,” he stated.
Welcoming the delegation, INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, expressed gratitude for the UN’s continued partnership and reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest democracy.
He noted that the Commission’s constitutional mandate covers elections into the offices of the President and Vice President, members of the National Assembly, Governors and Deputy Governors, State Houses of Assembly, as well as Area Council Chairmen and Councillors in the FCT.
He described the peaceful conduct of the FCT election as encouraging and assured the delegation that the Commission remains committed to strengthening electoral integrity.
“Our mandate is constitutional and sacred. We cannot afford to fail our people. Our aspiration is that every election we conduct must be better than the last.” Prof Amupitan said.
Prof Amupitan also highlighted INEC’s longstanding collaboration with the United Nations system, particularly in technical assistance, voter education, institutional strengthening, gender mainstreaming, and inclusivity.
He described the visit as a timely reinforcement of that partnership as INEC prepares for forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general election.
Acknowledging challenges faced by election management bodies across Africa, including voter apathy, insecurity, public trust deficits, and the threat of misinformation, Prof Amupitan stressed that deliberate falsehoods pose significant risks to institutional credibility.
He further disclosed that the Commission is strengthening safeguards around its result transmission process to enhance transparency and public confidence.
“Steps are also being taken to improve the integrity of the voters’ register by removing deceased persons and eliminating duplicates to ensure more accurate electoral statistics,” he added.
In addition, he noted that INEC is upgrading its electoral data systems to provide verifiable and scientific information, including detailed deployment records for polling units, positioning the Commission as the primary and most reliable source of electoral data in Nigeria.
Mr Fall, speaking on behalf of the 26 UN agencies operating in Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to provide global expertise and best practices in electoral governance.
“Your success will be our success,” he said, emphasising that Nigeria’s democratic progress carries implications not only for West Africa but for the entire African continent and beyond.
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He added that beyond the mechanics of elections, the United Nations considers credible elections central to sustainable development and participatory governance, stressing the importance of ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are fully included in the democratic process.
Also speaking, the UN Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, congratulated the INEC Chairman and the Commission’s leadership, recalling the UN’s partnership with INEC since 1999.
She noted that the UN supports approximately 60 elections globally each year and has, over time, contributed to Nigeria’s electoral reforms, technological advancements, and voter education initiatives.
Attafuah expressed the UN’s willingness to further strengthen collaboration, including leveraging existing programmes and exploring dedicated electoral support initiatives based on the Commission’s identified priorities.
The visit reaffirmed the enduring partnership between INEC and the United Nations, anchored on shared democratic values and a collective commitment to sustaining credible, inclusive, and transparent elections in Nigeria.