Running for political office in Nigeria has become an increasingly expensive endeavour, often out of reach for the majority of citizens, especially women, young people, and those without elite backing. This report on the Cost of Politics in Nigeria, conducted in 2016 and updated in 2025, sheds light on the financial barriers that shape who can contest, win, and retain political power in Africaās most populous democracy.
With a population of over 200 million and 93 million registered voters, Nigeria’s political landscape is marked by intense competition, patronage networks, and high-stakes spending. While the annual salary of a legislator stands at ā¦9.6 million (US$25,265), the total cost of running for office (ranging from party primaries to campaign logistics)can reach hundreds of millions of naira, especially for those vying under dominant parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This report reveals that aspirants routinely invest vast sums into securing party nominations, mobilising support through community projects, and financing “logistics” on election day, a euphemism for vote-buying, bribery, and political thuggery. In many cases, electoral victory is not just won at the ballot box but also in courtrooms, where legal battles become another expensive layer of contestation.
Women remain critically underrepresented, with only 16 female members in the 360-seat House of Representatives and just four women in the Senateāunderscoring how financial and structural barriers persist in limiting inclusive political participation. Ultimately, this report seeks to expose how the high cost of politics entrenches inequality, fuels corruption, and distorts democratic representation in Nigeria.
This study is supported by the WYDE Civic Engagement project, which aims to empower youth in democratic processes. Through this research, the Cost of Politics reports unlock the unique processes of electoral participation and their impact on democracy in different countries.
