Joel Ajayi
The National Assembly has renewed its call for the conduct of a credible and timely population and housing census to support effective national planning and development.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Senator Victor Umeh, made the call during the 2025 World Population Day commemoration in Abuja.
He stressed that accurate and disaggregated data was vital for youth empowerment, equitable resource allocation, and sound policymaking.
“With over half of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the country’s future depends on the youth. But to empower them effectively, we need reliable data,” Umeh stated.
He warned that without accurate population figures, development efforts in critical sectors like housing, education, and healthcare could be poorly targeted.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on National Population and Identity, Rep. Okunjimi Odimayo, said the absence of up-to-date statistics hindered national development.
“Without timely data, we risk building policies on assumptions,” he said, urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the national census.
Both lawmakers assured of the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legal and policy backing necessary to deliver a successful census and promote youth-driven development.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Kwarra, emphasized that over 60 per cent of Nigerians are under 30, describing them as a demographic advantage.
Citing the 2022 NPC estimate of 216.8 million, he noted that 64.4 million fall within the 15–29 age range, as defined by the National Youth Policy.
“These figures represent real people—students, workers, and future leaders. Investing in their health, education, and employment is essential to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential,” Kwarra said, calling for increased investment in youth-focused services and infrastructure.
