Tinubu Inaugurates Census Committee, Demands Tech-Driven Solutions and Report in Three Weeks
President emphasizes urgent need for accurate data in planning as Nigeria prepares for first census since 2006
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a high-powered committee to oversee the forthcoming national population and housing census, tasking the members with delivering an interim report within three weeks. The inauguration ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, with Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila representing the President.
Describing the census as critical to Nigeria’s national development and effective planning, Tinubu stressed that accurate demographic data is essential for making informed decisions in sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and the economy.
“Nigeria cannot plan effectively if we don’t know how many we are,” the President 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.”
The last census conducted in Nigeria was in 2006, recording a population of 140,431,790, comprising 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females. Nearly two decades later, the country is now gearing up for a new enumeration exercise expected to be driven by technology and biometric tools.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He also emphasized the importance of mobilizing both domestic and international financial resources to ensure the success of the exercise.
Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, assured the President of the committee’s readiness to deliver the interim report within the stipulated timeframe. He recalled Tinubu’s longstanding encouragement of innovation and resilience, dating back to ministerial retreats in 2003.
“Mr. President, you urged us then, as you do now, to think creatively and work with the resources available, even in challenging economic times,” Bagudu noted.
The minister highlighted ongoing economic progress under President Tinubu’s administration, including improvements in foreign exchange stability and signs of economic growth, adding that the committee will propose practical strategies to mobilize necessary funding for the census.
Also speaking at the inauguration, Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammed Idris underlined the importance of accurate data for national planning. “A credible census is the foundation for such data,” he stated.
The National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who is also serving as the committee’s secretary, revealed that preparations are already underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other key stakeholders.
“We have been identifying key requirements and laying the groundwork necessary for the President to make an informed decision on the actual conduct of the census,” Kwarra explained. He reiterated the commission’s commitment to a transparent and tech-driven enumeration process.
The eight-member committee comprises 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), among others.
