Nigeria’s electoral body has brought forward the dates for the 2027 general elections to January following changes to the country’s electoral law, the electoral commission announced late on Thursday.

Under the new schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, 16 January 2027, instead of 20 February 2027.

Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, 6 February 2027, moving forward from the earlier date of 6 March 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it approved and issued a revised timetable and schedule of activities after the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities.

Adhering to timelines

INEC said party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will run from 23 April to 30 May 2026.

Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on 19 August 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on 9 September 2026. In line with the law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.

The commission warned political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines, saying it would enforce compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.

“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility. The Commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” INEC said.