INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for permanent entry-level positions across various departments as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s electoral system ahead of future elections.

The electoral umpire announced that its online recruitment portal opened on Monday, July 20, 2026, and will remain accessible until Monday, July 27, 2026. The commission urged interested applicants to complete their registration before the deadline, stressing that late submissions will not be considered.

According to INEC, the recruitment exercise is designed to boost its workforce in critical areas including electoral administration, voter registration, election logistics, information and communication technology (ICT), data management, engineering, legal services, finance and healthcare. The commission said the exercise forms part of its commitment to improving operational efficiency and delivering credible elections across Nigeria.

The commission emphasized that the recruitment process is completely free of charge and warned Nigerians against fraudsters posing as recruitment agents or promising employment in exchange for money. It reiterated that no individual, group or organization has been authorized to collect payment or influence the recruitment process.

Applicants are advised to submit their applications only through the official INEC recruitment portal, where they are required to create an account using a valid email address and their National Identification Number (NIN) before completing the online application form.

Vacancies available

The commission said recruitment is being conducted under three major cadres.

The Professional Cadre, covering Grade Levels 09, 10 and 12, includes vacancies for Accountants, Lawyers, ICT Officers, Engineers, Clinical Officers and Quantity Surveyors.

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Candidates applying for these positions must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. Depending on the position, applicants are also expected to possess relevant professional certifications such as ICAN, ANAN, NBA, COREN, NSE, NIQS or CPN, alongside a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience and an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

For the position of Administrative Officer II (Registration Area Officer) on Grade Level 08, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences. They must also demonstrate proficiency in computer applications, records management and data administration.

The commission is also recruiting Executive Officers (Registration Officers) on Grade Level 07. Applicants for this category are required to possess a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, in addition to strong communication, organizational and computer skills.

General eligibility requirements

To qualify for the INEC recruitment 2026 exercise, applicants must:

• Be Nigerian citizens.
• Not be more than 35 years old at the time of application.
• Possess a valid certificate of state of origin signed by the chairman or secretary of their Local Government Area.
• Be medically certified as physically and mentally fit by a government medical officer.
• Have no criminal record or conviction.
• Be willing to work in any part of Nigeria.
• Demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to public service.

Documents required

Applicants are expected to upload the following documents during registration:

• Recent passport photograph.
• Birth certificate or declaration of age.
• O’Level certificate.
• Degree, HND or NCE certificate, where applicable.
• NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate.
• Local Government Area identification certificate.
• Relevant professional certificates for specialized positions.

INEC advised candidates to ensure that all documents uploaded are genuine and legible, warning that false declarations or forged credentials will lead to immediate disqualification and possible prosecution.

How to apply for INEC recruitment 2026

Interested candidates should visit the official INEC recruitment portal, create an applicant account using their personal information, email address and National Identification Number (NIN), verify their email and proceed to complete the online application.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully select their preferred cadre before submitting the application because the commission said submitted applications cannot be edited or transferred to another vacancy.

INEC also clarified that applications submitted through email, third-party websites or recruitment agents will not be accepted. Only applications completed through the commission’s official recruitment portal will be processed.

The commission added that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment exercise, which may include document verification, aptitude tests, interviews and other assessment procedures before final appointments are made.

With preparations gradually gathering pace for the 2027 General Election, the recruitment exercise is expected to enhance INEC’s institutional capacity and improve the delivery of electoral services across the federation.

INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

NLC Announces Nationwide Campaign for New Minimum Wage, National Pension for Retirees

• Joe Ajaero says it is a ‘historical injustice’ for retirees to live below poverty line after years of service

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage while also pushing for the introduction of a national minimum pension for retirees, describing the current plight of pensioners as a “historical injustice” that must be urgently addressed.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the welfare of pensioners must receive the same level of attention as that of serving workers, stressing that organised labour would no longer advocate improved wages without demanding better living conditions for retirees.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress is currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage,” Ajaero said. “However, it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.”

Describing the current condition of many retirees as unacceptable, the labour leader said it was a “historical injustice” for citizens who devoted their productive years to national service to be left in poverty after retirement. “It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he said.

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The NLC president attributed the worsening plight of pensioners to the rising cost of living, galloping inflation and the increasing prices of food, healthcare and transportation, which have made life increasingly difficult for many retirees across the country. He noted that many retirees now survive on pensions that can no longer meet their basic needs, describing the situation as one that requires urgent government intervention. “We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” Ajaero stated.

The NLC president urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepare to support the campaign for improved retirement benefits, describing the newly inaugurated Legacy House as a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity ahead of the planned campaign. He called on workers to remain united in defending their collective interests, noting that the labour movement would continue to demand the payment of outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension system that guarantees retirees’ dignity and financial security. “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security,” Ajaero said.

According to the NLC president, the Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension to guarantee retirees a decent standard of living. He said the completion of the Legacy House should encourage workers and supporters of the labour movement to strengthen their collective efforts in ensuring that government meets its obligations to both serving workers and retirees. “Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve,” Ajaero stated.

The event, which took place at the NUP’s national headquarters in Abuja, also featured the inauguration of the union’s corporate headquarters, a multi-purpose hall and apartment complex commissioned by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. Governor Yusuf, who was honoured as the Most Pensioners-Friendly Governor of the Year 2024, announced a donation of ₦100 million to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clearing pension liabilities in Kano State.

The NUP President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, commended the Kano State Government for paying ₦32 billion out of the ₦48.6 billion gratuity liabilities inherited by the administration, describing the intervention as a major relief for thousands of pensioners and their families. Abumisi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving pension increases, clearing pension arrears and settling accrued rights, which he said had significantly improved the welfare of pensioners nationwide.

NLC Announces Nationwide Campaign for New Minimum Wage, National Pension for Retirees

Oyo Grand Chief Imam Backs FRSC’s Plan to Ban Preaching in Commercial Buses

• Sheikh Bilal Akeugberu says commercial vehicles are ‘means of transportation, not places of worship’, urges National Assembly to expedite legislation

IBADAN, Nigeria – The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)‘s proposed legislation seeking to prohibit preaching and hawking inside commercial buses, describing the initiative as a timely and commendable step towards safeguarding lives and ensuring public safety on Nigerian roads.

In a statement issued from his office on Monday, the respected Islamic scholar noted that the primary responsibility of every government is the protection of lives and property, stressing that any policy capable of reducing avoidable road crashes deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerians irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliation.

“Commercial buses are means of transportation, not places of worship or religious gatherings. Passengers board vehicles to travel safely to their destinations, while drivers are expected to concentrate fully on the road. Any activity capable of distracting drivers or creating unnecessary tension among passengers should not be encouraged,” the Grand Chief Imam said.

The respected Islamic scholar observed that incessant preaching inside commercial vehicles has over the years become a source of distraction to drivers and discomfort to many passengers. He added that such practices have, in some instances, generated arguments, altercations and avoidable security concerns within public transport.

The Grand Chief Imam maintained that countries with advanced road safety cultures do not permit activities that interfere with drivers’ concentration, emphasizing that Nigeria should equally adopt policies that prioritize the sanctity of human life over practices capable of endangering road users. He therefore urged the National Assembly to give expeditious consideration to the proposed legislation in the overall interest of public safety.

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While reiterating that the constitutional right to freedom of religion remains sacrosanct, the Grand Chief Imam explained that every right must be exercised responsibly and within the limits prescribed by law, particularly where public safety is involved. He further appealed to religious leaders across all faiths to educate their followers on the need to conduct religious activities only in appropriate and designated places, rather than inside commercial vehicles where they may constitute a distraction or inconvenience to others.

The Grand Chief Imam also warned individuals or groups who may contemplate defying the proposed law, once duly enacted, to desist from taking the law into their own hands. “Nigeria is a nation governed by the rule of law. Once the legislative process is concluded and the law comes into force, every citizen and resident has a constitutional obligation to obey it. Anyone who feels aggrieved has the legitimate right to seek judicial interpretation through the courts rather than resorting to self-help or acts capable of undermining public order,” he said.

He urged security agencies and relevant enforcement authorities to implement the law professionally, fairly and without discrimination, ensuring that no individual or religious group is singled out for selective enforcement.

The Grand Chief Imam concluded by calling on Nigerians to collectively embrace every lawful measure aimed at reducing road accidents, preserving human lives and promoting peaceful coexistence, reminding citizens that the preservation of life remains one of the highest objectives recognised by both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the noble teachings of Islam.

Oyo Grand Chief Imam Backs FRSC’s Plan to Ban Preaching in Commercial Buses