News
Tinubu Inaugurates National Population Census Committee
Joel Ajay
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a high-level committee tasked with facilitating the conduct of the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census, with a directive to submit an interim report within three weeks.
The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the inauguration held Wednesday at the State House in Abuja, emphasized that a credible, technology-driven census is critical for accurate national planning and development across all sectors, including healthcare, education, security, and the economy.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu described the census as vital for effective policy formulation and resource allocation, noting that the last census was conducted in 2006—nearly two decades ago—when Nigeria’s population was recorded at 140,431,790, comprising 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.
“The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise,” Tinubu stated. “Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.”
President Tinubu also underscored the need for strategic funding, urging the committee to explore both domestic and international sources to finance the exercise.
The newly inaugurated Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census is chaired by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who pledged to meet the President’s three-week deadline for the interim report.
Bagudu, reflecting on Tinubu’s guidance during the 2023 ministerial retreat, said the committee would adopt creative strategies to execute its mandate despite prevailing economic challenges.
“Despite global economic headwinds, Nigeria under President Tinubu is making steady progress. We are seeing improvements in foreign exchange stability and overall economic growth,” Bagudu noted, assuring that the committee will present feasible solutions for funding the census and ensuring its credibility.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the role of accurate data in national planning, stressing that a credible census lays the foundation for such data.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will serve as Secretary to the committee, disclosed that preliminary preparations for the census have already commenced in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other key stakeholders.
According to Kwarra, the commission is currently identifying priority areas and requirements necessary for the President to take a well-informed decision on the timing and implementation of the census. He reaffirmed the NPC’s commitment to delivering a transparent, technology-based enumeration exercise that supports inclusive development and planning.
News
NYCN: High Court Bars Gbenga, others from holding election
Josl Ajayi
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued an order restraining Comrade Ademola Gbenga, Comrade Okechukwu Nnamene and others from conducting the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) election slated for October 7, pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court.
Justice J. E. Obanor, in an order dated October 6, 2025, in suit no: FCT/HC/CV/3803/2025 and motion no: M/12204/2025, sighted by our correspondent, directed the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the court’s order.
The claimants/applicants in the case are the Incorporated Trustees of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, representing the existing leadership of the Council.
The defendants include Comr. Ademola Gbenga, Comr. Okechukwu Nnamene, Comr. Abel Abaji, Comr. Alex Allen Akin, Comr. Hassan Mamman, the Inspector General of Police, and the Department of State Services.
It would be recalled that the NYCN, during its National Elective Convention held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from September 20 to 22, re-elected Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as President alongside other executives.
However, dissatisfied with the Sukubo-led leadership, Gbenga and his allies formed a parallel group and planned to conduct another election in Abuja on October 7.
Consequently, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the leadership of the NYCN, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The Order read in part, “Upon hearing the Motion Ex parte and the accompanying affidavit of. Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo listening to P. Ulofu ESQ., of counsel to the Applicants praying this Honourable Court for the following:-
“An Order of Interim Injunction restraining the Respondents (Gbenga and others) or any person(s) acting through them or on their behalf from conducting the scheduled election of the 7th day of October, 2025 or taking any further step concerning the subject matter of this suit respectively pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice.
“An Order of Interim Injunction directing the Respondents to maintain the status quo with respect to the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, pending the determination of and determination of the motion on notice.
“An Order directing the 6th (IGP) and 7th (DSS) Defendants/Respondents to enforce the Order of Court restraining the 1st to 5th (Gbenga and others) Defendants, their privies, agents, or howsoever called, conducting the scheduled election of the 7 th day of October, 2025 or taking any further step concerning the subject matter of this suit respectively pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“And for such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit and or application.
“The court ordered as follows: Application is hereby granted and order made as prayed. Case is adjourned to 16th October, 2025 for hearing of Motion on Notice.”
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