Pecohub With seven elections in 24 years, the longest spell of civil rule since independence in 1960, Nigeria is gradually emerging as a democracy hub in Africa.
However, the high cost of conducting elections, one of the most expensive in the world, and rising disputes and petitions as more funds are allocated, leave a sour taste.
Since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999, the country has conducted six transition elections with the sum of N949.47bn or $4.023bn.
In 1999, the out-going military regime, according to reports, spent N32bn about $1.46bn to conduct the 1998/1999 elections. In dollar terms, the 1999 polls remain the most expensive even though they were the least disputed.
Put together, the seven elections cost Nigeria a staggering N981.47bn or $5.483bn.
Apart from the 1999 polls, the costs of conducting the exercises have been rising to the extent that Nigeria’s elections have panned out as the most expensive in Africa and one of the most expensive in the world.
The cost of the various polls in Naira and Dollar given Nigeria’s official exchange rates at the time of conducts are as follows: 1999 -N32bn ($1.46bn); 2003- N55.172bn ($483.965m); 2007- N74.2bn ($618.333m); 2011- N99.7bn ($664.667m); 2015-N122.9bn ($646.842m); 2019-N242.2bn ($794.098m); and 2023-N355.298bn (815.475m).
Giving the trend, there are speculations that the 2027 polls may cost the country about N700bn. For the 2025 fiscal year, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC requested ₦126 billion for its operations, which include preparation for the 2027 polls. The Federal Government’s initial proposal was ₦40bn, which INEC said was insufficient, especially considering higher minimum wages, personnel costs, the need for continuous voter registration, CVR, that is ongoing, replacement of voting machines (BVAS), and damaged equipment among others. The National Assembly increased the figure to ₦140 billion in the 2025 approved budget.
In spite of the huge costs, the quality of successive polls continues to dwindle and attracting more petitions such that the 2023 general polls conducted with N355.298bn ($815.465m) had 1,996 petitions.
It was not like this at the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999. Elections were considered to be relatively free and fair back then.
