The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has voiced his concern over the protracted delay in conducting a national population census in Nigeria, emphasizing the crucial need for an accurate assessment of the country’s demographic landscape. He lauded President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the National Population Commission (NPC) to implement a biometric census, underscoring that a comprehensive headcount is long overdue. The Speaker’s commitment to addressing this issue was further solidified by his declaration to engage with President Tinubu, following consultations with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to expedite the census process. This commitment signals a high-level recognition of the census’s importance for national planning and development.
Speaker Abbas’s critique of the 19-year gap since the last census highlights the significant information deficit that hinders effective policy formulation and resource allocation in Nigeria. His assertion that “statistics don’t lie” underscores the inherent value of accurate demographic data in understanding the nation’s true population size, distribution, and characteristics. This data is essential for evidence-based decision-making across various sectors, including healthcare, education, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs. The Speaker’s advocacy for a biometric census reflects a commitment to modernizing the process, ensuring greater accuracy and minimizing potential for manipulation or error compared to traditional methods. By embracing technology, the census can provide a more robust and reliable foundation for future planning and development initiatives.
The Speaker’s pledge to engage President Tinubu directly on the matter demonstrates a proactive approach to resolving the funding challenges that have hampered previous census efforts. Recognizing the NPC’s budgetary constraints, he suggested exploring alternative funding mechanisms, including tapping into the Sovereign Wealth Fund. This proactive approach signifies a willingness to go beyond conventional budgetary allocations to secure the necessary resources for this critical national exercise. By involving the Senate President in these discussions, Speaker Abbas aims to create a unified legislative front to advocate for the census and ensure its successful execution. This collaborative approach demonstrates a commitment to bipartisan cooperation on a matter of national importance.
The meeting between Speaker Abbas and the NPC leadership, including Chairman Isa Kwarra and Director-General Ojogun Osifo, provided a platform for detailed discussions on the census preparations. The NPC outlined its comprehensive plan, encompassing technology acquisition, recruitment and training of census officials, establishment of a central situation room for real-time monitoring, and extensive advocacy and stakeholder engagement initiatives. These preparations reflect a commitment to a well-organized and technologically advanced census process. The NPC’s emphasis on stakeholder engagement underscores the importance of public buy-in and participation to ensure a smooth and comprehensive data collection exercise.
Speaker Abbas’s recognition of the census as a potentially historic achievement for President Tinubu’s administration further underscores its significance. He believes that a successful census will not only provide invaluable data for national development but also serve as a lasting legacy for the current administration. This perspective highlights the long-term impact of the census, extending beyond immediate data collection to shaping policy and development strategies for years to come. The Speaker’s commitment to facilitating a meeting with President Tinubu, in conjunction with the Senate President, underscores the urgency and importance attached to this national endeavor.
Furthermore, the emphasis on a biometric census signifies a shift towards a more technologically advanced and accurate data collection process. This methodology utilizes biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, to ensure unique identification and minimize the risk of double counting or other errors. The adoption of biometric technology aligns with global best practices in census enumeration and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to utilizing modern tools for enhanced data accuracy and efficiency. This approach not only strengthens the reliability of the data but also enhances the credibility of the entire census process. By investing in a biometric system, Nigeria demonstrates its dedication to producing a high-quality census that can inform evidence-based decision-making and contribute to sustainable development.
