Nigeria is moving closer to conducting a fresh national population and housing census, nearly two decades after the last one was carried out in November 2006. This marks a significant step for the country as it seeks to gather more accurate and up-to-date information about its population, which is crucial for planning and improving the lives of Nigerians.
At a meeting with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC) on Monday, President Bola Tinubu announced plans to set up a committee that will align the census budget with Nigeria’s current financial situation. This move is part of the government’s strategy to ensure that the census is accurate, reliable, and well-funded.
President Tinubu highlighted the importance of accurate data for national development, particularly in sectors like employment, agriculture, and food security. He explained that without correct figures, Nigeria would struggle to plan effectively and tackle key challenges. He said, “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.”
One of the key features of the upcoming census will be the use of biometric and digital tools. The president highlighted the need for multiple identification features, such as facial and voice recognition, to capture the population accurately. He noted that biometric data would be central to the process to ensure reliable and up-to-date information on the Nigerian population.
This approach will be a significant upgrade from the traditional method, allowing for better tracking of individuals and more efficient data collection. With Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, it is crucial to have precise information on demographics, which will help in the effective distribution of government resources and services.
The president pointed out that a fresh census would be key to improving government programmes, such as the distribution of fertilisers, which could be more effectively targeted with accurate data. Reliable population figures would also support social security systems, enabling the government to design programmes that address the actual needs of citizens.
“We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners,” President Tinubu stressed.
He further highlighted that the “stop-and-go” approach to the census would not work under his administration. “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. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?” he added.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, also spoke at the meeting, highlighting the importance of the census data for future planning and resource distribution. Bagudu recalled that during a retreat for ministers in 2023, President Tinubu had reiterated his commitment to the census, stressing that there were no doubts about his desire to see it through.
However, Bagudu acknowledged that funding was a key challenge. He revealed that 40 per cent of the funds for the 2006 census had come from development partners, and that the same approach would likely be needed this time around. “Even today, before this meeting, I called the NPC Chairman and restated your commitment to the census. However, the commission and all of us in the team need to agree on the minimum amount we can source to support Mr President in making the final decision,” Bagudu said.
The government is already working on linking various identity and data agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Ministry of Digital Economy, to ensure that the process is coordinated. These agencies are working together to optimise available data, including information from voter registers, telecoms data, and even the country’s passport records, to support the upcoming census.
Nasir Isa Kwarra, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), spoke about the preparations for the census. He reminded those present that the last census was conducted in 2006, and 19 years later, the population figures were no longer reliable for effective planning, particularly in sectors that directly impact Nigerians.
Kwarra revealed that the NPC had already acquired 760,000 tablets, which are being stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). These devices will play a crucial role in data collection during the census. He also assured the President that the NPC would seek support from development partners once the census date is announced.
“The NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry Of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimization can take place,” Kwarra added.
