2027: Meet the 10 youngest presidential candidates

Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election will feature experienced politicians, former government officials, activists and a number of younger candidates seeking to become president.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its final list of presidential and vice presidential candidates released on September 12, 2026, listed 18 candidates for the January 16, 2027 election.

The list includes some of Nigeria’s oldest presidential candidates, such as 79 year old African Democratic Congress candidate Atiku Abubakar and 74 year old President Bola Tinubu.

However, the list also shows that younger Nigerians are seeking a place in the country’s highest political office.

According to the INEC list, the youngest presidential candidate is 35 year old Moses Olusoji Adebisi of the Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA).

Two candidates are 43 years old, while another is 44. The list also contains candidates in their late 40s and 50s.

Here are the 10 youngest presidential candidates on the final INEC list, from the oldest to the youngest.

10. Omoyele Sowore, 55

Party: African Action Congress (AAC)

Omoyele Sowore, 55, is one of the better known younger candidates in the 2027 presidential race.

The journalist, publisher and human rights activist is contesting the presidency for the third consecutive election. He also contested the 2019 and 2023 elections under the AAC.

Sowore emerged as the AAC presidential candidate at the party’s primary in Abuja in May 2026. He later stepped down as the party’s national chairman.

His campaign has focused on issues such as corruption, unemployment, poor governance and institutional reforms.

INEC lists his qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, West African Examination Council certificate and a master’s degree.

His running mate is 49 year old Magashi Haruna Garba.

9. Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, 54

Party: Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, 54, is the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party.

A lawyer, entrepreneur and political activist, Adebayo also represented the SDP in the 2023 presidential election.

He emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election through a consensus arrangement at the party’s convention and presidential primary in Bauchi in May 2026.

His campaign has focused on economic hardship, insecurity, governance and the living conditions of Nigerians.

His policy programme covers areas such as security, food, water, energy, healthcare, education, housing, employment, justice and digital access.

INEC lists his qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate and Bachelor of Laws.

8. Peter Ada Agada, 54

Party: Young Progressives Party (YPP)

Peter Ada Agada, 54, is the presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party.

He is among the less nationally known candidates in the 2027 race but his candidacy adds to the number of politicians seeking to challenge the dominance of the major political parties.

Agada secured the YPP presidential ticket ahead of the election.

INEC lists his qualifications as the West African Examination Council certificate, Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration.

His running mate is Patience Ndidi Key.

7. Yusuf Kabiru, 54

Party: Action Peoples Party (APP)

Yusuf Kabiru, 54, is the presidential candidate of the Action Peoples Party.

He is among the candidates representing smaller political parties in the 2027 presidential election.

Kabiru is contesting alongside Peace Egobia Ofordile, who is the party’s vice presidential candidate.

INEC lists his qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and National Diploma.

6. Sunday Adenuga, 52

Party: Boot Party

Sunday Adenuga, 52, is the presidential candidate of the Boot Party and the party’s national chairman.

He emerged as the party’s presidential candidate after being returned unopposed at its primary in May 2026.

After securing the ticket, Adenuga highlighted insecurity, rising living costs and limited access to basic needs as some of the problems facing Nigerians.

The Boot Party has also focused on agriculture, food security, rural infrastructure and employment.

INEC lists his qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and a master’s degree.

His running mate is 40 year old Mustapha Usman Turaki.

5. Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori, 48

Party: National Democratic Party (NDP)

Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori, 48, is one of the two women among the 18 presidential candidates on the final INEC list.

She is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party, a political party registered in 2026 after a legal dispute with INEC.

Okwori is also identified by the party as its founder, chairman and chief promoter.

The NDP said it went to court after INEC initially rejected its application for registration. A Federal High Court later directed the electoral commission to issue the party its registration certificate.

INEC subsequently registered the party in March 2026.

Okwori is contesting with Chukwuemeka Uchenna Anthony as her running mate.

Her qualifications, according to INEC, include the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Accountancy.

4. Abbas-Bin Aliyu, 44

Party: Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Abbas-Bin Aliyu, 44, is the presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party.

He is one of the youngest male candidates in the 2027 presidential race.

Aliyu was previously identified as a political aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before securing the ADP presidential ticket.

He is contesting alongside Ike Chinazam, who is listed as his running mate.

INEC lists his qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and Bachelor of Science.

3. Nkem Esther Okereke, 43

Party: National Rescue Movement (NRM)

Dr Nkem Esther Okereke, 43, is the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement.

She is one of only two women among the 18 presidential candidates on the final INEC list.

Okereke secured the NRM ticket at the party’s national convention in Abuja in May 2026.

Her campaign has focused on issues including insecurity, economic hardship, education, electricity, healthcare, housing, job creation and accountability.

She has also called for greater participation by young people and women in politics.

INEC lists her qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and PhD.

Her running mate is 35 year old Sulaiman Nasir Muhammed.

2. Sunday Chibuizu Okereke, 43

Party: Labour Party (LP)

Sunday Chibuizu Okereke, 43, is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

He is one of the youngest candidates in the 2027 presidential election.

Okereke is described as a medical doctor and public health expert.

INEC lists several academic qualifications for him, including the First School Leaving Certificate, NABTEB qualification, Bachelor of Science with honours, Master of Science with distinction, Master of Library Science with distinction and a PhD.

He is contesting alongside Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate.

1. Moses Olusoji Adebisi, 35

Party: Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA)

Moses Olusoji Adebisi, 35, is the youngest presidential candidate on Nigeria’s 2027 ballot.

He is the only candidate below the age of 40 on the final INEC presidential list.

Adebisi is nearly four decades younger than the oldest candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who is 79.

His candidacy places a 35 year old contender on the same ballot with politicians who have spent several decades in public life.

Adebisi is contesting under the Democratic Liberty Alliance and has Nafisat Usaku Abubakar as his running mate. She is also 35.

INEC lists Adebisi’s qualifications as the First School Leaving Certificate, Senior Secondary School Certificate and Bachelor of Science.

His candidacy makes him the youngest person seeking Nigeria’s highest elective office in the 2027 presidential election.