RUN
Your guide to running for elected office in Nigeria.
INEC publishes nomination forms, but party nomination charges are set by each party. Verify the INEC forms page and the relevant party timetable before filing. INEC nomination forms
ELIGIBILITY BY OFFICE
PRESIDENT
35 YRS
- Nigerian citizen from birth
- WASSCE or equivalent minimum
- Must not be disqualified under current law
GOVERNOR
35 YRS
- Nigerian citizenship requirement applies
- WASSCE or equivalent minimum
- Confirm state-specific and party requirements
SENATOR
35 YRS
- Nigerian citizenship requirement applies
- WASSCE or equivalent minimum
HOUSE OF REPS
25 YRS
- Nigerian citizenship requirement applies
- WASSCE or equivalent minimum
STATE ASSEMBLY
25 YRS
- Nigerian citizenship requirement applies
- WASSCE or equivalent minimum
REGISTRATION PROCESS
CHECK FORMS
Review INEC nomination forms and your party nomination timetable before starting.
PARTY PRIMARY
Win your party primary or selection process to secure the party ticket.
SUBMIT DOCUMENTS
Submit personal particulars, educational credentials, and a sworn affidavit of eligibility to INEC.
PARTY FEES
Pay any expression-of-interest or nomination charges set by your party. These are not fixed INEC fees.
PARTY SCREENING + INEC REVIEW
Complete your party screening process. INEC receives nomination materials, publishes candidate information, and handles objections under the election timetable.
CAMPAIGN
Campaign only within the timetable and rules published for the election cycle.
CANDIDACY FEES
The Electoral Act 2026 and INEC pages should be checked with the specific party timetable. Party nomination charges are party-specific. INEC nomination forms
INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY
Nigeria's current general-election framework is party based. A candidate is normally sponsored by a registered political party.
INEC's voter education material states that a person can only put themselves forward as a candidate through party sponsorship.
If the law changes before 2027, use the updated INEC guidelines and election timetable.