The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, have moved to deepen collaboration on voter education, a development seen as a strategic move to counter voter apathy and misinformation ahead of future elections.

The resolve was reached when the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella, received the newly inaugurated NUJ executives, led by Chairman Akeem Abas, during a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Ibadan.

Professor Tella described the NUJ as a powerful stakeholder in shaping public perception of elections, stressing that a stronger media partnership is essential for transparent and credible polls.

The REC disclosed that INEC has commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, which began on January 5, 2026, and will run until April 17, 2026.

He explained that the registration would cover all 351 Registration Areas and wards across Oyo State, adding that a rotational grassroots exercise would last 50 days from February 9, 2026, between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays.

Tella urged journalists to intensify voter sensitisation to ensure eligible citizens register, update their details or transfer their voter cards closer to where they reside.

He further revealed that journalists would now be included in INEC’s monthly capacity-building programmes, a move aimed at institutionalising cooperation between the commission and the media.

Earlier, NUJ Chairman Akeem Abas said the union was ready to partner closely with INEC to drive citizen participation and strengthen democracy at the grassroots.

Abas, accompanied by Vice Chairman Abiodun Atilola, Secretary Temidayo Adu and Ex officio Imran Khalid, noted that sustained INEC–NUJ engagement would translate into better-informed voters and more credible elections across the state.