Outrage as Tinubu’s 8 member National Census Committee have 5 slots from Southwest & no representative from SE, SS,NE
On Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated an eight-member National Census Committee, which is predominantly composed of members from his geopolitical zone, the South West.
The committee, which was inaugurated at the State House in Abuja, is chaired by Senator Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning from the North West. The Secretary of the committee is Nasir Isa Kwarra, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), with Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, both hailing from the North Central.
The South West is represented by several other committee members, including Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Principal Secretary to the President; and Mrs Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff).
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, mentioned that the “high-level committee on the forthcoming national population and housing census will submit an interim report within three weeks.”
Onanuga further noted that President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, stressed the significance of the census for national development, accurate planning, and effective decision-making in various sectors, including healthcare, education, security, and economic planning. He pointed out that Nigeria’s last census was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago, recording a population of 140,431,790, comprising 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.
President Tinubu emphasised the essential role of a technology-driven process in ensuring credible and verifiable results, calling for collaboration among all relevant agencies and stakeholders.
Highlighting the critical aspect of financing for the exercise, the President urged committee members to explore both domestic and international resources.
“Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. 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 focus on the technology area because the census must be technology-driven. Things have changed since the last time we conducted this exercise. The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation,” he stated.
Senator Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and chair of the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, assured the President that the committee will meet the three-week deadline for the report.
He recalled President Tinubu’s guidance to ministers during their retreat in 2003, encouraging them to think creatively and utilise available resources, even amidst challenging economic conditions.
Bagudu remarked that despite global economic challenges, Nigeria is making steady progress under President Tinubu’s leadership, citing improved foreign exchange stability and a positive growth trajectory.
He indicated that the committee will propose practical solutions, including strategies for mobilising domestic and international resources to finance the census.
Committee member and Minister of Information, Muhammed Idris, underscored the importance of accurate data for planning across all sectors, asserting that a credible census forms the foundation for such data.
Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Secretary of the committee, stated that the commission has already commenced preparations for the national population and housing census in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that the focus has been on identifying key requirements and establishing the necessary groundwork for President Tinubu to make an informed decision regarding the actual conduct of the census.
Kwarra assured Nigerians that the National Population Commission is committed to delivering a credible, technology-driven enumeration that will support effective national planning and development.
