T he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has voiced strong concerns over Nigeria’s prolonged delay in conducting a national population census, stressing that an updated headcount is crucial for assessing the country’s demographic strength.
Abbas commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the National Population Commission (NPC) to implement a biometric-based census, emphasizing that a national headcount is long overdue. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, conveyed Abbas’ commitment to engaging President Tinubu after consulting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the matter.
During a meeting with the NPC board and management, led by Chairman Isa Kwarra and Director-General Ojogun Osifo, Abbas reiterated the urgency of conducting the census. Responding to the NPC Chairman’s disclosure that the President had approved a biometric-based census for 2025, Abbas stated, “It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to go 19 years without conducting a population census.”
He emphasized that a biometric system remains the most efficient method for accurately determining Nigeria’s population while minimizing resource wastage. “Statistics don’t lie,” he noted, underscoring the importance of reliable data for national planning and development.
Recognizing the commission’s budgetary constraints, Abbas urged the Federal Government to explore alternative funding sources, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund, to ensure the success of the census. He pledged to engage Senate leadership to facilitate a meeting with President Tinubu, asserting that conducting a national census would be a landmark achievement for the administration.
NPC Chairman Kwarra outlined the commission’s ongoing preparations, which include technological acquisitions, personnel recruitment and training, setting up a situation room, and engaging stakeholders through advocacy efforts. He further called on the National Assembly to support the commission in securing the necessary funding to execute the census effectively.
With the growing need for accurate demographic data, a successful national headcount could significantly enhance Nigeria’s development planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation in the years ahead.
0 Comments