RismadarVoice Reporters
September 12, 2026
Technology and telecommunications stakeholders have warned that inadequate digital infrastructure, poor internet connectivity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the spread of misinformation could threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders made the concerns known at the Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2026 in Lagos, where discussions focused on the theme, “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management.”
They called for sustained investment in electoral technology and infrastructure, stressing that systems deployed for elections should be continuously tested and maintained rather than treated as projects that receive attention only during election periods.
The Chairman of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, Lanre Ajayi, said Nigeria had moved beyond debating whether technology should be used in elections and should now focus on making it a reliable and trusted part of the electoral system.
According to Ajayi, biometric voter registration, voter authentication and electronic transmission of election results have significantly changed election administration, but infrastructure deficiencies, cybersecurity risks and low levels of digital literacy could still undermine public confidence.
He said the credibility of an election depended not only on the technology deployed but also on citizens’ confidence in the systems and processes supporting it.
The President of the Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter, Kunle Olorudare, represented by Gbemisola Esho, also identified technological resilience, digital rights and information integrity as key requirements for credible elections.
He called for stronger systems capable of withstanding disruptions, particularly in ensuring that polling units have access to the digital infrastructure required for election-related processes.
Olorudare also stressed the need to protect citizens’ privacy and digital rights while ensuring that technology did not become a source of exclusion.
He warned that fake news and misinformation could further complicate the electoral process, urging the development of mechanisms for authenticating information and improving public trust.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria also highlighted the importance of reliable telecommunications infrastructure to the success of technology-driven elections.
Its President, Tony Emoekpere, said effective digital transformation could not be achieved without dependable connectivity, noting that telecommunications infrastructure supports digital platforms, electronic transactions and real-time information exchange.
Emoekpere urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, government agencies, telecommunications operators, technology companies, infrastructure providers and security agencies to work together to identify and address possible vulnerabilities before the 2027 elections.
He said public confidence should remain at the centre of the adoption of technology in elections, with citizens, political actors and electoral administrators all needing assurance that the systems in use were secure and dependable.
He further called for cybersecurity and data protection to be treated as integral components of electoral integrity as Nigeria increasingly incorporates digital technology into election management.
The stakeholders consequently urged relevant authorities to prioritise continuous testing of electoral technology, strengthen local technical capacity and increase investment in digital and telecommunications infrastructure ahead of the 2027 polls.
