The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has clarified the distinct role of the newly inaugurated Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, stressing that it serves as an advisory body separate from the National Population Commission (NPC), the constitutional body mandated to conduct censuses.
Speaking at the Committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja on 22 April 2025, Bagudu explained that the Committee’s duties include reviewing the census budget, proposing funding strategies, mobilizing resources, assessing NPC’s technical readiness, and recommending a feasible census date.
He conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a credible digital census, highlighting the NPC’s proposed ₦949 billion biometric-based exercise. Bagudu urged members to deliver preliminary recommendations within three weeks, emphasizing the importance of data-driven governance.
NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, serving as Committee Secretary, outlined ongoing preparations and pending activities. Other Committee members, including Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi, NIMC Director-General Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and FIRS representative Egodi Adedeji, proposed cost-saving measures such as data integration and digitizing training manuals.
The Committee, inaugurated on 16 April 2025 by Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to reconvene on 25 April to advance its work toward meeting the President’s deadline.
