The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday expressed concern that the country has been groping in the dark for nearly two decades by relying on estimated population figures, an embarrassing anomaly for Africa’s largest economy.

Senators are now demanding an immediate solution to this glaring gap by conducting a biometric census in 2025, a move they said will revolutionise planning and governance.

During a heated budget defence session with the National Population Commission (NPC), lawmakers decried the lack of accurate demographic data. Senator Abdul Ningi, leading the charge, described the situation as a “national disgrace.”

Others, like Senator Diket Plang and Deputy Minority Leader Senator Olalere Oyewumi, warned against further delays, calling the reliance on foreign-sourced data most unacceptable.

In a bold response, NPC Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra revealed plans to implement a biometric census with the support of President Bola Tinubu.

“This technology ensures we count humans, not fish or livestock,” Kwarra said, pledging a reliable and fraud-proof process.

The NPC’s proposed ₦18.2 billion budget for 2025 prioritises the census, with significant allocations for capital projects to support biometric systems. Lawmakers approved the proposal, emphasizing the urgency of delivering accurate data for national development.

The Senate insisted that the census is not just a routine exercise but the foundation for governance, economic strategy, and equitable resource distribution.

With biometric systems ensuring transparency, Nigeria may finally shed its reliance on outdated estimates and embrace data-driven progress.