President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to establish a committee aimed at aligning the proposed national population census budget with Nigeria’s current financial realities.
This decision was made during a meeting at the State House with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC) on Monday, February 24, 2025. The President emphasized the importance of accurate population data for effective national planning and development.
Accurate and up-to-date population data is crucial for effective governance and planning. It informs decisions on resource allocation, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and various other sectors.
Without reliable data, the government faces challenges in implementing policies and programs that adequately address the needs of its citizens.
President Tinubu highlighted that, “Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.”
To enhance the accuracy and reliability of the upcoming census, President Tinubu has mandated the inclusion of biometric capturing in the process. This will involve multiple identification features, including facial and voice recognition.
The integration of biometric technology aims to eliminate duplications and ensure that each individual is counted once, thereby providing a more precise population figure. The President stated, “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data.”
Recognizing the need for a harmonized data management system, President Tinubu has directed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) be part of the census review process.
This collaboration aims to integrate the national identity database with the census data, ensuring consistency and reliability across all demographic statistics. Such integration is expected to streamline government services and improve policy formulation.
In light of Nigeria’s current economic situation, the President has proposed the formation of a committee to review and align the census budget with the nation’s financial capabilities.
This committee will assess the necessary resources required for the census and explore potential support from development partners. The President emphasized the need for a clear financial plan before seeking external assistance, stating, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census.”
Nigeria’s last national population and housing census was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago. The absence of recent and reliable data has posed significant challenges to effective planning and resource allocation.
The upcoming census, enhanced with biometric and digital components, is expected to provide the government with accurate data to address issues such as employment, agriculture, and social services more effectively.
The integration of modern technology and inter-agency collaboration signifies a progressive step towards comprehensive national development planning.
In summary, President Tinubu’s initiative to conduct a new national census with biometric integration and a reviewed budget reflects a commitment to obtaining accurate population data essential for Nigeria’s development.
This approach aims to ensure that policies and programs are data-driven, effectively addressing the needs of the Nigerian populace.