Bagudu Explains Committee’s Role, Stresses Focus on Securing Funding and Effective Planning for Census

By Iyojo Ameh

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, clarified on Tuesday that the Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census, which he chairs, is a temporary technical body designed to secure adequate funding and effective planning for Nigeria’s upcoming population and housing census.

Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting, Bagudu outlined that the primary goal of the committee, inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu last week, is to provide expert guidance on the financial strategies, institutional coordination, and implementation timelines for the upcoming census.

The committee, which includes several key government officials, is tasked with ensuring that the planned census aligns with Nigeria’s fiscal realities and strategic objectives. Members include the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Nasir Kwarra, who serves as the committee’s secretary, as well as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, and other high-ranking officials from critical agencies.

Bagudu emphasized that the committee is distinct from the NPC, the legally mandated body responsible for conducting the population and housing census in Nigeria. Instead, the committee is an advisory body with a specific mandate to address census funding, resource mobilization, and the logistical and technical preparations of the NPC.

The committee’s core responsibilities, according to Bagudu, include: Reviewing the existing census budget to ensure alignment with national priorities and fiscal conditions; Identifying and recommending potential domestic and international funding sources for the census, including collaborations with development partners and the private sector, a ssessing the NPC’s preparations and identifying areas that require further strengthening and advising on an optimal date for the census and evaluating funding availability and other key national considerations.

The minister also noted that a national census is a vital investment in evidence-based governance, highlighting the urgency of obtaining accurate data to address challenges such as urbanization, security, food systems, and public health.

He informed committee members that President Tinubu has instructed them to submit preliminary recommendations within three weeks, underlining the critical importance of timely and informed decision-making. “This timeline reflects both the gravity of the task and the confidence placed in this team to deliver practical, well-considered advice,” he added.

He urged the members to approach their task with professionalism and a shared commitment to excellence, reinforcing that the committee’s work should complement the strong foundation already laid by the NPC.

Recall that the committee was established following a briefing to President Tinubu by the NPC on February 24, 2025, regarding its progress towards conducting a digital Population and Housing Census incorporating biometric components such as fingerprint, facial recognition, and voice capture for inclusivity and transparency. The NPC had proposed a budget of N949 billion for the exercise.

President Tinubu has consistently expressed his full support for a credible and modern census, but has also emphasized the need for fiscal prudence in undertaking such a significant national project. This led to the formation of the Bagudu-led committee to provide recommendations on financing, institutional coordination, and the practical implementation of the NPC’s proposal.

The inaugural meeting saw the attendance of several key figures, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris; a representative from the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Chiroma Ahmed; Chairman of the NPC, Mr. Nasir Kwarra; Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote; and other senior officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies.