“President Tinubu Vows to Overhaul National Census, Rejects Inconsistent Approaches”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly stated that his administration will not tolerate an inconsistent approach to conducting the national population and housing census. Speaking at a meeting with officials of the National Population Commission (NPC) at the State House on Monday, the President stressed the importance of a consistent and well-planned process for the upcoming national census.

The last population census in Nigeria was held in November 2006, and the President has made it clear that the country cannot afford another delay or misstep. He directed the NPC to prioritize securing domestic financial resources before reaching out to international development partners for assistance in conducting the census.

“The approach to the census must be clear, with a well-defined financial framework in place. We must secure our financial muscle before we engage with external partners. The stop-and-go activities that have plagued previous census efforts cannot continue under my administration,” President Tinubu stated.

To ensure the smooth execution of the census, the President announced the creation of a committee to evaluate funding sources, address logistical challenges, and determine how resources can be best applied to the process. He emphasized that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must also be involved in the review, as the country’s data management and population tracking are essential for future planning.

“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without accurate data, we cannot plan effectively for employment, agriculture, food security, or social services,” President Tinubu noted. He stressed that reliable census data would be crucial for the country’s development and the efficient distribution of resources.

The President also called for biometric data collection, including facial and voice recognition, to be central to the process. These advanced identification features would ensure a more accurate and reliable census. Additionally, he pointed out that government programs like fertilizer distribution could be more effective with precise demographic data.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, affirmed the importance of the census data for future planning and resource allocation. He acknowledged that 40 percent of the funding for the 2006 census came from development partners, but emphasized that securing domestic funding is crucial for the success of the current process.

NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra also provided an update on the preparations for the census. He revealed that the commission has already acquired 760,000 tablets for the census, which are being stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He assured the President that once the census is proclaimed, the NPC would engage with development partners for additional support.

The President concluded by reiterating his commitment to ensuring an accurate and reliable census, one that would strengthen development planning and improve the living conditions of Nigerians through more efficient social programs. He urged all relevant agencies to work together to ensure the census is conducted effectively, setting the foundation for the country’s future growth.