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A fresh controversy has erupted following revelations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has demanded a staggering ₦1.5 billion as a production cost for releasing a certified true copy of Nigeria’s National Register of Voters and the full list of polling units nationwide.
News Week Nigeria gathered that the figure was disclosed in INEC’s official response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by V-C Ottaokpukpu & Associates, a law firm based in Abuja and led by public affairs analyst and legal practitioner, Vincent Otaokpukpu.
The law firm, in a letter dated October 8, 2025, invoked the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to request the voter register, citing Nigerians’ constitutional right to access public records.
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INEC’s Official Response
INEC, in its reply signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission, and dated October 13, 2025, approved the request under Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2022 — but on a major condition.
The Commission stated that the applicant must first pay ₦1,505,901,750 “to cover the cost of production” before the documents would be released.
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The letter directed that payment should be made via INEC’s official Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) platform at www.remita.net, after which an electronic receipt must be submitted for processing.
According to INEC, the amount reflects “the actual cost of producing a certified true copy” of the massive register, which holds data on over 93 million registered voters compiled ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Commission insisted the charge was “reasonable and in line with transparency obligations” under both the Electoral Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
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Public Outrage and Reactions
The revelation has triggered nationwide criticism from civil rights groups, legal analysts, and citizens who described the ₦1.5 billion fee as “outrageous” and a “deliberate barrier to transparency.”
Critics argue that the fee contradicts the spirit of the FOI Act, which limits access fees to reasonable duplication and administrative costs, not prohibitive production charges.
One Abuja-based analyst described the demand as “a mockery of accountability.”
“How can a public institution request ₦1.5 billion to release a document that already exists in digital form? This only reinforces public mistrust,” the analyst said.
Another observer noted that previous requests for state-level voter registers cost only a fraction of the new figure.
“What exactly justifies ₦1.5 billion for printing data that is already stored electronically?” a civil rights advocate asked.
On social media, thousands of Nigerians reacted with disbelief, accusing the electoral body of attempting to “monetize transparency.”
Legal Context and FOI Implications
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2011, government institutions are required to provide requested public information within seven days, except where national security or privacy is at stake.
The law also stipulates that access fees must reflect only the reasonable cost of duplication and dispatch, not arbitrary or excessive charges.
Legal practitioners now question whether INEC’s ₦1.5 billion invoice violates both Section 3(3) of the FOI Act and Section 15(1) of the Electoral Act, which emphasize public access to electoral documents “at reasonable cost.”
Vincent Otaokpukpu, whose firm made the request, has not yet confirmed whether his legal team will challenge the Commission’s fee in court, but sources close to the matter say the firm is “reviewing all legal options.”
INEC’s Defence
INEC maintained in its response that the charge covers logistics, manpower, digital extraction, and authentication processes associated with producing the certified register.
The Commission described the National Register as a complex, sensitive database requiring “strict data-protection and duplication protocols.”
Officials also argued that producing physical copies or digital extractions of 93 million voters involves large-scale server operations, verification audits, and certified documentation, hence the cost estimate.
Despite the explanation, many Nigerians remain unconvinced, pointing to technological advancements that should make data access cheaper and faster.
Background: Why the Register Matters
The National Register of Voters is one of Nigeria’s most crucial electoral databases.
It contains demographic and biometric details of all eligible voters, including photographs, fingerprints, and polling unit assignments.
As of 2023, INEC announced that Nigeria had 93.4 million registered voters, making it one of the largest voter databases in Africa.
While individuals can verify their voter status via INEC’s online portal at cvr.inecnigeria.org, full access to the complete register has never been granted publicly in bulk form.
The data remains tightly controlled, with political parties, researchers, and journalists relying on partial releases or regional extracts.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
The controversy comes at a delicate period for the electoral body, which is currently conducting its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
INEC recently disclosed that over six million Nigerians have initiated online pre-registration since August 2025, amid growing concerns about transparency, data protection, and electoral credibility.
Observers say the ₦1.5 billion demand could worsen public perception at a time the Commission is struggling to regain trust after the disputed 2023 elections.
Public Trust and Transparency Debate
Human rights lawyer Barrister Chidi Agu told Ejes Gist News that INEC’s response risks undermining its claim of openness.
“Transparency shouldn’t come with a billion-naira price tag. If citizens cannot access public data without paying such sums, it defeats the entire essence of the Freedom of Information Act,” Agu said.
Several civil society organizations, including the Centre for Electoral Transparency (CET) and the Policy Advocacy Network (PAN), have also demanded that INEC review the fee downward or provide a digital access alternative free of charge.
What Happens Next
As of Thursday night, neither INEC nor V-C Ottaokpukpu & Associates had issued further statements on whether payment would be made or the decision challenged.
However, legal experts anticipate that the matter could escalate to a judicial review, potentially setting a precedent on how public institutions interpret “reasonable cost” under the FOI Act.
If the ₦1.5 billion fee stands unchallenged, it may discourage future civic and media efforts to obtain public data from federal agencies.
