Tinubu inaugurates nationwide census committee, units 3-week deadline for report 

The committee is predicted to map out a viable pathway for the long-overdue census train, final performed in 2006.

Talking on the inauguration held on the State Home in Abuja on Wednesday, President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Employees, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, emphasised the essential function of the census in driving evidence-based coverage selections throughout key sectors reminiscent of healthcare, schooling, safety, and financial planning.

“We count on you’ll contact on the know-how space as a result of the census have to be technology-driven. Issues have modified because the final time that we performed this train. The enumeration needs to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalization,” President Tinubu was quoted to have mentioned in a press release signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

The President tasked the committee with exploring revolutionary funding methods, together with each home and worldwide assets, to help the census mission.

He additionally directed all related businesses—particularly the Ministry of Funds and Financial Planning—to take possession of the method, underscoring that the census have to be a cross-sectoral, technology-backed nationwide precedence.

Why this issues

Nigeria’s final census was performed practically 20 years in the past in 2006, recording a inhabitants of 140,431,790.

With present inhabitants estimates nearing 220 million, a reputable and up to date inhabitants determine is seen as important for correct fiscal planning, infrastructure growth, and social service supply.

The committee’s composition

The eight-member Presidential Committee on the Census is chaired by the Minister of Funds and Financial Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu. Different members embody:

• The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Financial system, Wale Edun
• The Chairman, Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS)
• The Director Normal, Nationwide Id Administration Fee (NIMC)
• The Minister of Info and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris
• The Principal Secretary to the President
• The Senior Particular Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations
• The Chairman of the Nationwide Inhabitants Fee (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will function Secretary

Senator Bagudu, in his remarks, assured the President that the committee would meet its three-week deadline.

He reaffirmed the dedication to designing a sensible roadmap for the census, together with an in depth useful resource mobilisation technique and proposals for leveraging know-how within the enumeration course of.

Bagudu additionally recalled the President’s earlier cost to ministers throughout their 2023 retreat to “assume creatively” and work with the assets obtainable, even underneath harsh financial circumstances.

NPC outlines progress up to now

NPC Chairman Nasir Isa Kwarra disclosed that the Fee has already commenced technical preparations in collaboration with the Ministry of Funds and Financial Planning and different stakeholders. These embody figuring out useful resource gaps, constructing capability, and reviewing current frameworks wanted for a reputable inhabitants and housing enumeration.

Kwarra assured Nigerians of the Fee’s readiness to ship a clear, inclusive, and technology-driven census, with a deal with real-time information assortment and verification mechanisms.