By Uche Onyeali
President Bola Tinubu has set a three-week deadline for the presentation of a report on the forthcoming national population and housing census in the country.
The president gave the deadline while
inaugurating a high-level committee for the census exercise.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the event held at the State House yesterday, the president said census is critical for national development, planning and decision-making in areas such as healthcare, education, security and the economy.
He called on relevant stakeholders to collaborate for a successful outcome of the exercise.
“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.
“We expect you to 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,” the president said.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who chairs the presidential committee, said it would submit its interim report within three weeks.
Bagudu recalled Tinubu’s advice to ministers during their retreat in 2023, urging them to think creatively and maximise available resources, even in tough economic times.
He said despite global economic headwinds, Nigeria is making progress under Tinubu’s leadership, citing foreign exchange stability and positive growth indicators.
The minister said the committee would recommend practical strategies, including options for mobilising funding both domestically and internationally.
Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris said accurate data is vital for planning across all sectors, adding that a credible census forms the bedrock for such data.
On his part, Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will serve as the committee secretary, said preparations for the census have begun.
He noted that the commission is working closely with the ministry of budget and economic planning and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth process.
Kwarra said the committee is focused on identifying key requirements and laying the groundwork for the president to make an informed decision on when the census will hold.
He assured Nigerians of NPC’s commitment to deliver a credible, technology-driven census that will enhance national planning and development.
Other members of the eight-member committee include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, director- general of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, principal secretary to the president and the senior special assistant to the president on administration and operations (office of the chief of staff).
