By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
A FRESH national population and housing census with biometric and digital components is edging closer, nearly two decades after the last one was conducted in November 2006.
President Bola Tinubu has directed a review of the census budget to align it with the government’s financial realities, emphasising the role of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in the process.
Speaking at a meeting with the National Population Commission (NPC) at the State House, Tinubu stressed the need for accurate demographic data, saying it was crucial for planning employment, agriculture, and food security.
He insisted that biometric capturing, incorporating facial and voice recognition, must be a key feature of the census.
Tinubu criticised the intermittent approach to census exercises in the past and called for a structured financial plan before seeking support from development partners.
He announced plans to set up a committee to evaluate funding sources and application of resources before making a formal proclamation for the census.
The NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, along with other officials, briefed the President on the progress made so far.
Kwarra highlighted the urgency of updating Nigeria’s population figures, stating that the 2006 census data was outdated and no longer reliable for planning critical sectors.
He confirmed that 760,000 digital tablets had been acquired and stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the exercise.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to the census, citing discussions at a 2023 ministerial retreat and recent Federal Executive Council meetings.
He revealed that 40% of the funding for the 2006 census came from development partners, and discussions were ongoing to determine the minimum amount required to proceed.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, on Information & Strategy on February 24, 2025, states that Bagudu also noted that various identity agencies, including the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry of Digital Economy, and others, had been collaborating to streamline data integration and optimise available information.
Kwarra assured that once the President officially declares the census, the commission would actively engage with development partners to secure additional support.
