Nigeria holds its general election on 16 Jan 2027. This page sets out what the vote decides, who runs it, how the last one went and who holds office today.
What is being decided
- The head of state. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been head of state since 29 May 2023.
- House of Representatives: 360 seats (all directly elected).
- Senate: 109 seats (all directly elected).
Note from the source: INEC timetable under the Electoral Act 2026: presidential and National Assembly elections.
Who runs the election
The vote is run by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The last result
The most recent presidential election was held on 25 Feb 2023. The winner recorded in our election file is Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC). Turnout was 27.05%.
National elections in our Nigeria file
| Date | Election | Status | Winner | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan 2027 | General election | scheduled | - | - |
| 25 Feb 2023 | Presidential election | held | Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) | 27.05% |
| 25 Feb 2023 | Senate election | held | - | - |
| 25 Feb 2023 | Parliamentary election | held | - | - |
| 23 Feb 2019 | Presidential election | held | - | - |
| 28 Mar 2015 | Presidential election | held | - | - |
Who holds office now
| Office | Holder | In office since | How chosen | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head of state | Bola Ahmed Tinubu | 29 May 2023 | - | - |
| Vice president | Kashim Shettima | - | - | - |
See the full Nigeria government directory and the Africa election calendar.
Other national elections coming up
| Country | Election | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | Presidential election | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Gambia | Presidential election | 5 Dec 2026 |
| South Sudan | General election | 22 Dec 2026 |
| Gambia | Parliamentary election | 10 Apr 2027 |
| Kenya | General election | 10 Aug 2027 |
Polling and research around the vote
PollsAfrica designs and runs opinion polls and household surveys across Africa, with the sample, dates, mode and weighting published for every release. If you need research in Nigeria before or after this vote, see our research services or contact us.
Source: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2026; CIA World Factbook, 2026; State House, Abuja, 2026. Method: how we compile this.