President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a high-level committee to oversee preparations for Nigeria’s forthcoming national population and housing census, nearly two decades after the last headcount. The committee is expected to submit an interim report within three weeks.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu—represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila emphasised the importance of the census for national development, effective planning, and policymaking across key sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and the economy.
“You cannot budget if you do not know how many we are,” President Tinubu said, stressing the need for collaboration among relevant agencies and a strong focus on technology.
“We expect you will touch on the technology area because the census must be technology driven. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise. The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation,” he added.
Nigeria’s last census was conducted in 2006, recording a population of 140,431,790 comprising 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.
Tinubu highlighted the need for resource mobilisation, both domestic and international, to finance the exercise effectively. “Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning,” he instructed committee members.
Chairing the newly formed committee is the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who pledged the committee’s readiness to deliver its report within the stipulated three weeks.
Bagudu recalled the President’s counsel during the 2023 ministerial retreat, urging ministers to be innovative and make the best use of available resources even under difficult economic circumstances. He noted that despite global challenges, Nigeria is making measurable progress under Tinubu’s leadership, citing foreign exchange stability and a positive economic outlook.
“We will recommend practical solutions, including strategies for mobilising domestic and international resources to fund the census,” the minister said.
Also speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, stressed that a credible census would provide the data necessary for comprehensive national planning.
Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), who will serve as Secretary of the committee, said the commission has already begun laying the groundwork for the exercise.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other stakeholders to identify key requirements and ensure the President is equipped to make an informed decision on the actual conduct of the census,” Kwarra stated.
He reaffirmed the NPC’s commitment to a transparent, digital, and verifiable enumeration process that would serve as a cornerstone for effective governance and development.
The eight-member committee includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Principal Secretary to the President, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff).