Tinubu inaugurates census committee, sets three-week deadline for interim report

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a high-level committee for the forthcoming national population and housing census.

Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, represented Tinubu during the event held at the State House on Wednesday.

He said census is critical for national development, planning, and decision-making in areas such as healthcare, education, security, and the economy.

The president asked all relevant stakeholders to collaborate for a successful outcome of the exercise.

“Work with all relevant agencies, including the ministry of budget and economic planning,” he said.

“This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.

“We expect you will 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.”

Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning and chair of the presidential committee, said the committee will 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.

Bagudu said the committee will recommend practical strategies, including options for mobilising funding both domestically and internationally.

Muhammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said accurate data is vital for planning across all sectors, adding that a credible census forms the bedrock for such data.

Nasir Isa Kwarra, chair of the National Population Commission (NPC), who will serve as the committee secretary, said preparations for the census have begun.

He said the commission is working closely with the ministry of budget and economic planning and other stakeholders to ensure 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 the NPC’s commitment to delivering 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, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the director general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the principal secretary to the president, and the senior special assistant to the president on administration and operations (office of the chief of staff).