NASS to meet Tinubu over population census

The National Assembly (NASS) has said it will meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss conducting the population census this year, saying it is essential for establishing the country’s true population.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the board and management of the National Population Commission (NPC) that it is unacceptable that the country has yet to conduct a new census in over 19 years.

“It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to go 19 years without conducting a population census,” he said.
He argued that an updated census would end speculation over the country’s population figures, emphasizing the accuracy of biometric technology.

“Statistics don’t lie,” he said, adding that biometric registration was “the only way to determine the actual population with less deployment of resources.”

The Speaker also revealed plans to engage with President Tinubu after consulting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“I will be part of those who will engage Mr. President on the issue of conducting the census this year,” he announced.
Acknowledging the funding challenges facing the NPC, Abbas suggested alternative financial sources, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

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“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to see Mr. President,” he said, stressing that the census would be “a historic thing” for Nigeria and could “immortalize his (President Tinubu’s) name.”

Earlier, NPC Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra briefed the Speaker on preparations for the 2025 census, outlining plans for technology acquisition, recruitment and training of personnel, as well as stakeholder engagements, including meetings with former presidents and ex-heads of state.

He appealed for the National Assembly’s support, particularly in securing funding and enacting necessary laws to facilitate the exercise.