Tinubu constitutes committee on census

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a committee for the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census to recommend ways of achieving the success of the exercise.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that Nigeria’s last census in 2006 was now outdated, which must be updated.

He stressed the need for a fresh and credible exercise to reflect current realities, saying the National Population and Housing Census exercise was critical for effective planning and sustainable development.

The President emphasised the importance of reliable population data in decision-making across sectors like healthcare, education, security, and economic growth, and called for a technology-driven approach and collaboration among relevant agencies.

The committee was also tasked with exploring both domestic and international funding options due to the financial demands of conducting a national census.

President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to delivering a credible, data-driven census aligned with national priorities.

He said he viewed the exercise as essential for implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda and urged the committee to deliver results that would shape informed governance decisions.

Chairman of the Committee and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, had assured that the committee would meet the three-week deadline given to it.

He said the team had already begun work and that their role was to recommend practical strategies for mobilising resources and addressing challenges without excuses or delay.

In an interview, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said his ministry was ready to spearhead public sensitisation campaigns in partnership with agencies like the National Orientation Agency and private sector media platforms to achieve success.

Also in an interview, the chairman of the National Population Commission, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra, said the focus was on identifying requirements and laying the groundwork for the conduct of a credible, technology-enabled census.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering a transparent and verifiable census.

FRCN