Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the 2027 general elections, fixing 16 January 2027 for presidential and National Assembly polls and 6 February 2027 for governorship and state assembly elections. The adjustment, announced by National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities.
The revised calendar sets party primaries 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 start on 9 September 2026, ending 24 hours before polling day. The Osun governorship election has also been moved from 8 August to 15 August 2026. The January presidential poll marks the first time since 1999 that Nigeria will hold the election in that month.
For the economy, the rescheduling carries significant implications. Elections are periods of heightened uncertainty that can delay investment decisions, as businesses await policy clarity. A January presidential poll means the transition period will coincide with the start of the fiscal year, potentially affecting budget implementation and government contracting. The extended campaign timeline, with party primaries beginning in April 2026, prolongs the period of political uncertainty but also provides clearer windows for business planning.
The shift also affects the handover timeline, giving the incoming administration approximately five months before the next budget cycle. This could facilitate smoother policy transitions if the process remains transparent and disputes minimal. However, any post-election litigation extending into mid-2027 would disrupt the first half of the new administration’s term, with knock-on effects on economic governance.
