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.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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