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.

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