By Fatima Saka
Nigeria has taken a significant step toward conducting a new national population and housing census, incorporating biometric and digital technology. The country’s last census was held in November 2006.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu met with officials of the National Population Commission (NPC) at the State House, where he announced plans to establish a committee to align the census budget with the government’s current financial realities. He emphasized the importance of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) being part of the review process.
“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we cannot effectively plan for employment, agriculture, and food security. Many challenges arise when we lack reliable data,” President Tinubu stated.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the national census produces accurate and reliable figures, which are essential for development planning and improving Nigerians’ living conditions through more efficient social programs.
NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra, along with other commission members, briefed the President on preparations for the census. Tinubu underscored that government initiatives, such as the distribution of fertilizers, could be better managed with more precise demographic data.
The President also stressed the need for biometric capturing, incorporating multiple identification features such as facial and voice recognition.
“We must have our financial strategy in place before seeking support from development partners. This stop-and-go approach to the census won’t work with me. We need a clear and definite plan,” he said. “I will set up a committee to critically assess the issues, identify funding sources, and determine how we can proceed before making a formal proclamation.”
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, highlighted the importance of census data in future planning and resource distribution.
“At the 2023 ministerial retreat, Mr. President, you reaffirmed your commitment to the census. Even at the last Federal Executive Council meeting, you asked about the challenges, and I explained that the main issue was securing funding,” Bagudu said.
He noted that in 2006, development partners contributed 40% of the census funding.
READ ALSO: Emefiele’s Lawyers Accuse Justice Oshodi of Bias, Demand Recusal from Trial
Nigeria’s Laws Are Obsolete, Akpabio Urges Citizens to Support Tax Reform Bill
“We have been holding inter-agency meetings to integrate identity data sources, including those from the NPC, NIMC, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ministry of Digital Economy, passport services, social register, voter register, and telecoms. Additionally, we are working with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to assess available government data and explore optimization opportunities.”
In his presentation, NPC Chairman Kwarra emphasized that the data from the 2006 census was now outdated and no longer useful for planning, especially in key sectors that directly impact the population.
He revealed that 760,000 digital tablets had been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in preparation for the census. He assured that once President Tinubu officially proclaims the census, the commission will engage development partners for additional support.
