Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has pledged the National Assembly's unwavering support for the National Population Commission (NPC) in conducting the upcoming biometric Population and Housing Census.
Sen. Akpabio made this commitment during a meeting with NPC officials, led by Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, who visited his office to provide updates on the preparations for the crucial census.
"It is essential that we support you," Sen. Akpabio stated. "The National Assembly will back your efforts to ensure success. I have full confidence that, with the caliber of professionals I have seen here, you will rise to the occasion once the proclamation is made. The Senate, in particular, will stand by you every step of the way."
Emphasizing the necessity of conducting a new census, Akpabio highlighted that the last one occurred in 2006, nearly two decades ago. "Conducting another census is long overdue," he remarked, stressing its importance for effective national planning.
"I hesitate to call it a national disgrace, but it is certainly a national embarrassment that even our representatives abroad cannot accurately state our population," he continued.
"Estimates vary widely, with some sources claiming 250 million, others 270 million, and some African nations suggesting we exceed 300 million. If you go to places where they are holding retreat now, they are now shrinking the the number from 250 million to 220 million. I think it's time to bring that confusion to an end.
Akpabio further pointed out that a country unaware of its population is already failing in its planning efforts. "You cannot effectively plan for the future without knowing how many people you need to provide for—whether in schools, healthcare, or infrastructure. If you do not know the number of children that you want to put in schools. You can’t know the number of classroom blocks you will build. So, we must prioritize planning for our future generations, and this census is a critical first step."
Earlier, NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra expressed the delegation's purpose: to update the Senate President on preparations and seek ongoing support from the National Assembly. "We cannot conduct this census without your support," he insisted. "We aim to conduct a thorough census that will generate valuable data for policy formulation and development tracking."
Hon. Kwarra noted that President Tinubu is committed to the census, having established a Presidential Census Committee chaired by the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, to review the census budget and identify funding sources.
Chairman Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, Sen. Victor Umeh, added that the NPC's visit was essential following their earlier meeting with President Tinubu last February, reaffirming the administration's dedication to the census.
The meeting included Senate Principal Officers, members of the Senate Committee on National Identity and Population, House of Representatives members, NPC Federal Commissioners, and key directors.
This collective effort underscores a commitment to ensure that Nigeria has accurate and up-to-date population data, vital for informed governance and planning.
