General News
Speaker Abbas to Meet President Tinubu on Population Census, Backs Biometric Headcount
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By Iyojo Ameh
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in conducting Nigeria’s national population census, stressing the urgent need for an accurate demographic count.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the board and management of the National Population Commission (NPC), Speaker Abbas commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving a biometric-based national census, describing the exercise as long overdue.
A statement issued in Abuja by Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, confirmed the development.
The NPC delegation, led by Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra and Director-General Dr. Ojogun Tellson Osifo, briefed the Speaker on preparations for the 2025 census, highlighting the commission’s technological advancements, personnel recruitment, training, and stakeholder engagements.
Reacting to the NPC chairman’s briefing, Speaker Abbas emphasized the need for urgency, noting that Nigeria had gone 19 years without a population count.
“It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to go this long without a census,” Abbas stated.
The Speaker argued that a reliable census would dispel skepticism about Nigeria’s actual population figures, with a biometric-based headcount ensuring accurate statistics and optimal resource allocation.
“Statistics don’t lie,” he asserted. “The biometric system is the only way to determine the actual population with minimal resource wastage.”
Abbas further disclosed his plan to meet President Tinubu on the matter, following discussions with Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON.
Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by the NPC, he suggested that the Federal Government explore alternative funding sources, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), to support the census.
“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to engage Mr. President,” Abbas said. “Conducting a census will be a historic achievement for Nigeria and will immortalize President Tinubu’s name.”
Earlier, NPC Chairman Hon. Kwarra outlined the commission’s progress in acquiring technology, setting up a situation room, and engaging key stakeholders. He also sought legislative backing to secure adequate funding and legal frameworks for the exercise.
The planned biometric census is expected to provide critical data for national planning, economic development, and governance, ensuring a more precise understanding of Nigeria’s population dynamics.