Many individuals dream of making significant changes in their community, state, and nation as a whole, and an excellent way to do that is by occupying a leadership position. If you’re in a position of power or authority, you can help to implement favourable policies and create the change you desire.
One of such positions is the presidential seat. Preceding the 2023 elections, various Nigerian political parties have sold presidential applications at exorbitant prices that only the wealthy can afford. However, some individuals seek to undermine the power of wealth in political affairs by raising money from the general public through crowdfunding.
If you fall in the second category and want to understand how you become the president of Nigeria, you’re in the right place. This article will disclose everything you need to know to stand a chance to occupy the highest seat in the nation. So, read till the end to gain a clearer understanding.

Table of Contents
How Much Does it Cost to Be President?
Abdullahi Adamu, the APC national chairman, stated that his party planned to charge N100 million for its presidential nomination application due to the significance of the Nigerian presidency.
The presidential aspirant charge of N100 million includes thirty million for the indication of interest form as well as seventy million for the actual nomination form.
However, applicants under the age of forty will receive a 50% fee reduction, while women and people with disabilities will only be charged for the indication of interest forms.
Conversely, the People’s Democratic Party set the price of the presidential election form at N40 million. The fee includes both the five million naira charge for expressing interest and thirty-five million naira for the application form.
In addition, the PDP National Executive Committee approved a 50% nomination fee reduction for people aged 25 – 30 years running for various elective roles.
Besides the fees for the presidential forms, aspirants also need to set aside finances for the electioneering campaigns, which typically cost more than $100 million (over 41.5 billion naira), according to Doyin Okupe, an ex-presidential spokesman.
Okupe went on to say that no Nigerian president has been elected solely on the basis of his wealth; you’ll need backing from other individuals as well. These people will give you money if they believe in you. Also, approximately 80% of your finances will be spent on the primaries.

How to Become the President of Nigeria
There are various requirements that presidential aspirants must satisfy in order to get elected as well as a number of issues that can disqualify a candidate, and they are listed below:
Eligibility Criteria
According to the constitution’s Chapter VI, Part one, Section 131, an individual is eligible for election to the position of president if:
- They are a naturalized Nigerian citizen.
- They have reached the age of thirty-five.
- They belong to a political party and are supported by that party.
- They have acquired at least a School Certificate or its equivalent.
Grounds for Disqualification
An individual who satisfies the above criteria is still ineligible to serve as president if:
- They have willingly obtained citizenship of a nation besides Nigeria (other than in situations the National Assembly specified) or openly declared allegiance to another country.
- They have been appointed such a position in the previous two elections.
- They are declared insane or mentally unfit under Nigerian legislation in any region of the country.
- They are serving a death sentence implemented by any qualified law court or Nigerian tribunal, or an imprisonment sentence or a fine for any crime involving fraud or dishonesty, or for some other infraction, implemented by any court or tribunal.
- They have been proclaimed guilty and sentenced for a crime entailing dishonesty or were guilty of violating any law within the 10 years preceding the date of their election to the presidential office.
- They are deemed bankrupt under any Nigerian or foreign law.
- They have not withdrawn, resigned, or retired from their employment in the public or civil sector of any State or the Federation at least 30 days before the election date.
- They belong to a secret society.
- They have been accused of fraud or embezzlement by a judicial inquiry panel, an administrative inquiry panel, or a tribunal established by the state or federal government according to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act or any other legislation, and the complaint has been acknowledged by the state or federal government.
- They forged any certificate and presented it to INEC.
Bottom Line
If you aspire to make great changes to your community or country as a whole, you can do so while occupying a leadership position like the presidency.
However, one doesn’t just become the president overnight. You must put in a lot of effort to garner support and finances from both your political party and your nation’s citizens. In addition, you need to ensure that you meet all the required criteria and are not ineligible to run for office.