By Ayo Ayodele
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by V-C Ottaokpukpu & Associates for a certified true copy of Nigeria’s National Register of Voters and the list of all existing polling units across the country, but placed the cost of production at ₦1.5 billion.
In a letter dated October 13, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC said the approval was granted pursuant to Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011, which guarantees citizens’ right to access public records and information held by any government agency.
Under Sections 1(1) and (2) of the FOIA, every Nigerian has the legal right to request information, regardless of interest or purpose, and any public institution is obligated to provide such information within seven days, except where disclosure is specifically exempted under the law.
INEC, however, stated that the applicant must pay ₦1,505,901,750 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Five Million, Nine Hundred and One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira) to cover the cost of producing the requested documents. The Commission directed that the amount be paid into its official Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) portal, after which proof of payment should be presented to process the request.
The letter reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with Nigeria’s freedom-of-information framework, which is aimed at deepening openness in governance and strengthening public trust in electoral administration.