Nigeria Moves Closer to Fresh Census as President Tinubu Plans Committee Set up

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria is gearing up for a new national population and housing census with biometric and digital components, nearly two decades after the last count in November 2006.

President Bola Tinubu disclosed plans to establish a committee to align the census budget with the government’s current financial situation during a meeting with officials of the National Population Commission (NPC) at the Statehouse on Monday.

This was made known in a release signed by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) on Monday in Abuja.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of an accurate and reliable census for national planning and development, stating, “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty. So many problems come up without accurate data.”

He further stressed the need for biometric capturing in the census process, incorporating multiple identification features such as facial and voice recognition. The President insisted that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must be involved in the budget review process to enhance data accuracy and integration.

To ensure the census aligns with Nigeria’s financial capacity, Tinubu stated, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So we better have a definite path. I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources.”

NPC Chairman Calls for Updated Data

NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra highlighted the urgent need for a new census, noting that the last one conducted in 2006 no longer reflects the current population dynamics. He stated that outdated figures hinder effective planning, particularly for key sectors impacting the populace.

Kwarra revealed that 760,000 digital tablets had been procured and are securely stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in preparation for the census. He assured that the NPC would engage with development partners for support once President Tinubu officially announces the new census.

Strategic Planning and Financial Implications

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to conducting the census, emphasizing its critical role in national planning and resource distribution. He noted that 40% of the funding for the 2006 census was sourced from development partners and stressed the need to determine the minimum financial requirement before proceeding.

Bagudu also disclosed ongoing ecosystem meetings involving key identity management agencies, including the NPC, NIMC, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ministry of Digital Economy, and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). These meetings aim to optimize data availability and integration across various government agencies.

Development Planning and Social Security

President Tinubu highlighted the broader impact of accurate census data on national development, including improved government incentives such as fertilizer distribution and enhanced social security systems.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to using reliable data for strategic planning, stating, “Accurate and reliable figures from the national census are essential for strengthening development planning and improving Nigerians’ living conditions through more efficient social security.”

Next Steps

The committee to be established by President Tinubu will evaluate resource availability and funding strategies to ensure the census aligns with Nigeria’s financial capabilities. The committee’s findings will guide the engagement with development partners for potential funding support.

This initiative marks a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s data challenges and enhancing the country’s strategic development planning.