The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, today, 7th March 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, at her office in Abuja.
The purpose of the visit was to solicit the Head of Service's support for the upcoming biometric Population and Housing Census and to ensure adherence to directives from President Bola Tinubu regarding collaboration between Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and the NPC on national geospatial repository database.
In his address, NPC Chairman, Hon. Kwarra emphasized the importance of leveraging the NPC’s extensive geospatial repository database, which includes geocoordinates of all buildings, roads, and water bodies across the nation. This data is essential not only for the census but also for national development planning.
He noted that President Tinubu has mandated all MDAs to engage with the NPC for their geospatial needs, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs associated with duplicative efforts.
During the meeting, Hon. Kwarra also highlighted the NPC's collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to establish an effective digital addressing system. Additionally, he mentioned a partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to facilitate National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment through the electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (e-CRVS) system and the upcoming biometric census.
However, a pressing concern raised by Hon. Kwarra was the retirement of many experienced staff who participated in the 1991 and 2006 censuses. He urged Mrs. Walson-Jack to assist the Commission in replacing these key personnel ahead of the upcoming census.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Walson-Jack welcomed the NPC team, underscoring the critical role of census data in national planning. “As we gather here, many of us recall the last census in 2006,” she said. “With our population growing rapidly, the need for updated data has never been more urgent. It is a pleasure to hear that another census is on the horizon.”
She stressed that accurate data is vital for informed policy-making. “Without knowing how many people we are catering to, we risk misallocating resources, which leads to inefficiencies,” she added.
Mrs. Walson-Jack assured Kwarra that the Office of the Head of Civil Service would support the NPC's initiatives and advocate for civil servant involvement in the census process.
“We know that the Federal Civil Service is a critical component of governance in Nigeria. While the population of civil servants may be a small fraction of Nigeria's total population, our advocacy can make a significant impact. As you advocate to us today, we will urge our civil servants to ensure they contribute to the success of the upcoming census,” she stated.
Addressing the request for assistance in replacing retiring staff, she pledged, “We will do everything within our power to help bridge the gap as you fulfill your mandate.”
In closing, Walson-Jack expressed her alignment with the NPC’s goals, stating, “Understanding our population is key to targeted and effective development strategies.”
Hon. Kwarra was joined by key NPC officials, including Federal Commissioner for Bayelsa, Mrs. Gloria Izonfuo, mni, and Director-General, Dr. Osifo Tellson Ojogun.
