News
World Population Day: NASS Urges President Tinubu to Prioritise National Census to Avert Future Crisis
Joel Ajayi
The National Assembly has renewed its call for the conduct of a credible and timely population and housing census to support effective national planning and development.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Senator Victor Umeh, made the call during the 2025 World Population Day commemoration in Abuja.
He stressed that accurate and disaggregated data was vital for youth empowerment, equitable resource allocation, and sound policymaking.
“With over half of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country’s future depends on the youth. But to empower them effectively, we need reliable data,” Umeh stated.
He warned that without accurate population figures, development efforts in critical sectors like housing, education, and healthcare could be poorly targeted.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on National Population and Identity, Rep. Okunjimi Odimayo, said the absence of up-to-date statistics hindered national development.
“Without timely data, we risk building policies on assumptions,” he said, urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the national census.
Both lawmakers assured of the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legal and policy backing necessary to deliver a successful census and promote youth-driven development.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Kwarra, emphasized that over 60 per cent of Nigerians are under 30, describing them as a demographic advantage.
Citing the 2022 NPC estimate of 216.8 million, he noted that 64.4 million fall within the 15–29 age range, as defined by the National Youth Policy.
“These figures represent real people—students, workers, and future leaders. Investing in their health, education, and employment is essential to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential,” Kwarra said, calling for increased investment in youth-focused services and infrastructure.
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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