President Tinubu Establishes Team for National Census
President Tinubu has announced the formation of a committee to facilitate the execution of Nigeria’s first national population and housing census since 2006. This decision, disclosed on February 24, 2025, aims to synchronize the upcoming census with the nation’s current financial landscape.
During a meeting at the Statehouse with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC), led by Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra, President Tinubu emphasized the necessity of accurate demographic data for effective governance. He stated, “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.”
The President highlighted that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must be integrated into the census process to ensure comprehensive data collection. He proposed that biometric capturing, including facial and voice recognition, should be central to the census methodology. This approach aims to enhance the accuracy of the data collected, which is crucial for planning in sectors such as employment and agriculture.
President Tinubu also addressed the financial challenges associated with conducting a nationwide census. He announced plans to establish a committee tasked with aligning the census budget to the government’s current financial realities. This initiative seeks to evaluate available resources and determine potential areas for external support. The President remarked, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census.”
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to conducting the census. He noted that accurate data is essential for future planning and resource distribution. Bagudu highlighted that in the 2006 census, 40% of the funding was sourced from development partners, indicating the potential for similar collaborations in the upcoming exercise.
NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra underscored the urgency of conducting a new census, noting that 19 years have elapsed since the last enumeration, rendering previous data obsolete for effective planning. He revealed that the commission has already acquired 760,000 tablets, stored securely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in preparation for the exercise. Kwarra assured that upon the President’s official proclamation of the new census, the commission would engage with development partners to secure the necessary support.
The forthcoming census is anticipated to incorporate advanced technology to enhance accuracy and transparency. The integration of biometric data aims to provide a reliable foundation for policy formulation and implementation. Accurate population data is expected to facilitate better planning in critical sectors, ultimately improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
In summary, President Tinubu’s directive to establish a committee for the national census signifies a pivotal step toward acquiring precise demographic data. This initiative is poised to inform strategic planning and resource allocation, addressing the nation’s socio-economic challenges through informed policy decisions.